Tory Israel trip attracts over 450 applications

Among the delegates, described by organisers as "ones to watch", were Raza Anjum, previously the country's youngest British Asian Tory councillor; Michael Kusznir, head of Conservative Future Scotland; and Pranav Bhanot, former president of the National Hindu Students' Forum.

CFI director Stuart Polak said the group was planning to take three similar delegations to Israel every year during the current Parliament.

"This is important. We have a lot of work to do with the government and new MPs, but for the future, doing these trips with CFI is an investment," he said.

Israel's Foreign Ministry and London embassy helped co-ordinate the week-long visit, which included time spent in the West Bank meeting young Palestinian entrepreneurs and travelling to the new city of Rawabi.