The IDF’s first woman major-general, Orna Barbivai, discussed her role in the return of Gilad Shalit at the British Friends of Migdal Ohr dinner in central London on Monday.

It was “inspirational to see a whole nation come together to bring home one single soldier,” she told 270 supporters of the charity, set up to help “at risk” children.

It now assists 12,000 young people every week.

The £300,000 raised will go towards Zoharim, an agricultural youth village in southern Israel which looks after young Charedi males uncomfortable with the strictly Orthodox lifestyle. When they join the IDF, they need Zoharim’s ongoing support during periods of leave.