Glenn Beck has begun his highly anticipated but controversial Jerusalem solidarity rally.

The conservative US pundit, until recently a presenter on Fox News, announced plans in May to stage the "Restoring Courage" in Israel.

At the time he said he wanted "to show the world what living a life of faith and honour really means," adding: "I will be counted and I will stand."

He is expected to be joined at today's event in the Old City of Jerusalem by actor Jon Voight – the father of Angelina Jolie – Israeli singer Dudu Fisher and a number of rabbis and Knesset members.

Danny Danon, the MK who first invited Mr Beck to Israel, said at the event: "We are very proud to have such committed friends coming from all around the world to support Israel unconditionally."

However, the staging of the rally has drawn heavy criticism in Israel and among US Jewish groups, with commentators and campaigners calling for it to be cancelled.

Mr Beck has come under fire in recent months for comparing Reform Judaism to radical Islam and likening the Norwegian summer camp targeted by an extremist gunman to the Hitler Youth.