Sir Eric Pickles, the UK Government’s special envoy for post-Holocaust Issues, was honoured in Israel in a ceremony at the JNF UK Lord Sacks Forest near Jerusalem.

Through JNF UK, the Conservative Friends of Israel planted trees to recognise his support for the Jewish community and Israel. Sir Eric has been taking part in a CFI trip to Israel. 

"It is good to put down roots in this wonderful country, this bastion of democracy," he said. "It has been a real pleasure playing a small part in trying to bring our two countries closer together. I remember meeting Prime Minister Rabin shortly before his assassination, and he said: 'The desire is to get water into the desert, and to get blood out of the land'. I think we have a chance in the coming few years not only to see trees flourish but to see friendships flourish.”