Historian Simon Schama defended Israel's military operation in Gaza when he addressed the 1,000 guests at UJIA's annual dinner in central London, the charity's largest in 15 years. He said he was proud to call himself a Zionist, even though he had criticised settlement expansion and the annexation of West Bank territory. UJIA chairman Bill Benjamin urged guests to increase their donations by 20 per cent to fund its educational work at home and abroad. The dinner raised £3.8 million, up £500,000 on 2013.

Photos: Blake Ezra Photography