Northern Irish MEP Diane Dodds has pledged to do all in her power “to protect Israel and her people” having been appointed to the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Israel.

“Israel is the only functioning democracy in the Middle East,” said the Democratic Unionist. “The European Union has a moral, as well as political duty, to support her.”

Mrs Dodds will work closely with pro-Israel groups in Europe including Northern Ireland Friends of Israel.

NIFI co-chair Steven Jaffe said: “Diane Dodds’ appointment to the Israel delegation is extremely welcome and one of the strongest indicators yet that our activities are bearing fruit. We have influential support in the Northern Ireland government.”

Mr Jaffe added that his group’s “grassroots political and cultural activities are effectively challenging those in Northern Ireland who seek to boycott and isolate Israel”.

The Friends have also held their first events outside of Belfast. Sixty people attended a screening of the Alan Dershowitz film, The Case for Israel, at Bangor West Presbyterian Church. And over 160 people attended a Coleraine meeting on Israel’s quest for peace which was addressed by Israel’s Dublin Ambassador Zion Evrony.