Home Secretary Sajid Javid has reaffirmed his staunch support for Israel, saying he will move to "strengthen the already strong partnership" between the UK and the Jewish state "especially in security".

In a speech at the Conservative Friends of Israel reception at Tory Party conference, Mr Javid also paid tribute to the Labour MPs who continue to speak out in support of the Jewish state in the face of hostilit within their party.

He was loudly applauded as he told the audience, which included Israeli ambassador Mark Regev, and numerous members of the Tory cabinet: "I vowed to myself that when I got into Government whatever opportunity I got I would try to help Israel.

"Now as Home Secretary, there is so much more I want to do, and I will continue to do, to work with Israel.

"Already I have made it absolutely clear the Home Office will continue to support the Jewish community in this country in every way we can.

"We also look at what  more we can do including our continued support for the wonderful Community Security Trust."

Then, turning towards Mr Regev, he said: "What I can tell the ambassador is that I will also be looking at what more I can do to strengthen our already strong partnership with Israel especially in security."

Last week the JC exclusively revealed how Mr Javid is taking steps to proscribe the Iranian-backed terror organisation Hezbollah in full.

Speaking prior to Tuesday evening's CFI event, Lord Pickles also confirmed he was "hopeful" the banning of Hezbollah would "happen this year."

The JC can reveal that the move will be the subject of judicial review - and must be deemed to be based around issues of national security rather than being politically motivated.

In further explanation about his admiration for Israel, Mr Javid used his speech to reveal how as a nine year-old his bus driver father had explained to him "It's history, the struggle, why it came about, and why it's such a special place."

One of five sons of Pakistani Muslim decent he vowed to visit the country himself one day and the opportunity finally came around after he and wife Laura decided to visit on their honey moon.

"We decided their was no better place to go for our honeymoon," he said. "It was everything I expected it to be and more.

"From then on I went back many times, both on business in my banking days, and when I came into parliament in 2010."

Detailing his parliamentary record in supporting both Israel and the community in the UK, Mr Javid said: "When I was Culture Secretary I told the Tricycle Theatre (In Kiburn) that their decision to turn away the British Jewish Festival was totally unacceptable.

"When I became the business secretary I was lobbied every day to support the BDS campaign.

"I thought the best reaction is obviously not to support the campaign but to do everything I could to boost trade with Israel.

"When I was communities secretary - after one of the things my predecessor Eric Pickles did was make sure the UK government became the  first government in the world to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism - I thought if national government can do it why can't local government do it too - so I wrote to every single council.

"And I told local government pension plans that they are not allowed to have their own foreign policy. And they cannot boycott any country."

But turning his attention to Labour and the anti-Israel stance under leader Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Javid said there was one group he wished to single out - "Labour Friends of Israel".

He added: "We disagree on so much when it comes to everyday British politics and everyone respects that.

"But one thing we agree on is antisemitism is wrong in every shape and form and we all support the state of Israel."

He outlined how some Jewish Labour MPs were left "requiring protection at their own conference due to antisemitism".

Mr Javid added: "I think is an opportunity to extend that hand of friendship and to tell them on Israel and their fight against antisemitism we stand with them."

Other members of the Conservative frontbench to speak at the CFI event included Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, Communities Secretary James Brokenshire and Lord Pickles himself.

CFI chair Stephen Crabb told the audience that he wished to send a message of support to the LFI group of Labour MPs in the face of the "poison" of antisemitism in Mr Corbyn's party. 

He said: “The bravery that they show when they stand up against that rampant poison and hatred to defend Israel is something to be admired and we salute our associates in Labour Friends of Israel."

He also defended the right of Israel to defend “its own people” adding: "We ask no other nation on earth to stand back and not defend its citizens when they are under attack."