The Jewish politician hoping to be the next leader of the Labour party has wished Britain’s Jewish community “a happy, healthy and sweet new year of peace and prosperity.”

David Miliband said Rosh Hashanah was “an opportunity to look forward to the coming year, and also a period of reflection and soul searching.”

The MP and shadow foreign secretary added: "The New Year is a good time for us all to focus on the peace talks in the Middle East.

"There are those who want to knock the talks off course, often violently.

Harriet Harman has wished Britain’s Jewish community a very happy and peaceful new year.

The acting leader of the Labour Party and MP for Camberwell and Peckham, said: As we draw close to Rosh Hashanah I would like to wish the Jewish community in the UK and around the world a very happy and peaceful New Year.

“I know many Jews will use this opportunity to pray for peace and to reflect on what we can all do to help our communities thrive and flourish in the days and year ahead.

The five candidates in the Labour leadership race have set out their views on Israel and Palestine in front of a packed audience at Stratford Town Hall.

Speaking at the Labour leadership hustings for young Labour Party members, the candidates responded to a question from the audience: “What is your stance on Israel?”

Former Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband called himself a “critical friend of Israel” and spoke of the need to be tough on the Israeli government, calling for an end to the Gaza blockade.

Ed Miliband has edged out his older brother to become the first contender for the Labour leadership with enough nominations to stand.

The former Energy and Climate Change Secretary is leading the six-way race to take charge of the Labour Party, having scooped up five more than the 38 signatures needed for a leadership bid.

But the 40-year-old will face a tough challenge in the contest, which will be decided at the Labour Party conference in September.

The one-time BBYO leader, Grant Shapps, has been appointed Housing Minister in David Cameron’s new government.

Mr Shapps, who represents Welwyn and Hatfield, is a former vice-chairman of the Conservative Party. He will be part of the Department for Communities and Local Government, headed by Eric Pickles.

Oliver Letwin, once Shadow Chancellor when Michael Howard led the party, has been made Minister of State for Policy, and will attend cabinet meetings when required.

David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, has blamed the Conservatives for preventing an early change in the law in order to make it more difficult to arrest visiting Israelis.

Although the government published its proposal to amend the law last week, there is no prospect of it being passed before the next election.

Britain has laid down strict conditions for any potential replacement of the Israeli official expelled from London, believed to be the Mossad representative in London.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband accused Israel of forging the British passports used by a hit squad which assassinated Hamas terrorist Mahmoud al-Mabhouh at a luxury hotel in Dubai.

The official sent back to Israel is believed by the Foreign Office to be directly linked to the forgeries.

An Israeli government official confirmed that the expelled diplomat would be replaced in due time.