Former Mossad head Ephraim Halevy hailed the impact of Operation Cast Lead in a speech to 500 Zionist Federation supporters in Central London on Sunday.

Addressing the ZF’s annual dinner, which raised over £100,000, Mr Halevy maintained that from a military standpoint, the operation had been an “all-out success”, inflicting a humiliating defeat on Hamas.

“This was also evident with the total isolation of Hamas in the Arab world. Egypt and Saudi Arabia turned their back, as did Iran and Syria. And where was [Hizbollah leader Sheikh Hassan] Nasrallah?”

ZF chief executive Alan Aziz anticipated a busy year for the charity. “Now more than ever British Jewry needs to stand up against Israel’s enemies, especially those who demonise Israel and question its right to exist.”

Activities such as bringing over academics to participate in Israel science days in schools in London and Manchester were examples of events informing people “about Israel’s contribution and place in the world”.