The leader of Israel’s Opposition, Yair Lapid, is to speak at next month’s Limmud Festival. 

The head of the Yesh Atid Party will be the most senior Israeli politician to appear at the annual conference which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. 

The all-digital event runs from Sunday to Tuesday, December 27 to 29, with programming also before and after the end of Shabbat. 

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who has spoken a number of times before, has confirmed he will return this year. 

Mr Lapid challenged Israeli Premier Benjamin Netaynau in Israel's election earlier this year as part of the Blue and White alliance with Benny Gantz, But when Mr Gantz chose to take his faction into government, Yesh Latid rdid not follow: the party, together with the smaller Telem group, has 17 seats.

Also booked for the festival are Baroness Deech and two of the most popular presenters from America, historian Deborah Lipstadt and Yaffa Epstein, who heads the Wexner Heritage Programme, which educates up and coming lay leaders. 

Tickets are available starting from £40 for adults with £5 concessions for those who have been affected by the pandemic.