Kadima Knesset Member Orit Zuaretz drew on a long involvement with Wizo when she addressed the charity's Sponsor A Child lunch in central London.

Ms Zuaretz was cared for at a Wizo centre when her family made aliyah from the Soviet Union in 1971, when she was four. Her mother became a Wizo member and the link has continued.

"I feel like a Wizo branch of the Knesset because Wizo and our goals are mutual," she told 50 supporters at the Grosvenor Square home of Loren and Steven Kaye. The reference was about working for women's rights.

"Wizo is the biggest and strongest women's network around the globe and it has touched so many lives."

The event raised £52,000 towards helping the underprivileged children who attend Wizo's Israeli centres. More than £500,000 has been generated during the 16 years of the Sponsor A Child campaign in the UK.

Ms Zuaretz added that she had entered politics to make a difference.

"It's about things you believe in - changing society, the empowerment of women, fighting trafficking in women.

"We have lots to do with our immigrants, including those from Africa, and humanitarian issues to resolve."

During her visit, she also addressed a lunch at Wizo House and an Aviv breakfast at the Borehamwood home of Elisa Ziff.