World Wizo chair Rivka Lazovsky has told British Wizo leaders that more than one million Israeli women rely on the charity for support on legal rights and other issues.

Addressing Wizo UK’s Sponsor A Child lunch, Ms Lazovsky said: “Despite Israel’s forward thinking democracy, women’s issues, particularly around domestic violence and equal opportunities, are still behind the times.

“This year alone, six women have been murdered by their partners — and last year 24. This is a frightening statistic.”

Now in its 18th year and a global appeal, Sponsor A Child was founded by Wizo UK vice-president Betty Crystal, who spoke about the plight of Israel’s disadvantaged children and how Wizo supports them.

The lunch was held at the St John’s Wood home of Joyce and Edward Misrahi and raised in excess of £50,000.