The Deputy Speaker of the Knesset said a new UK-Israel parliamentary group would build on the “historic connection” between the two countries at the launch on Tuesday.

The group, headed by Deputy Knesset Speaker Hilik Bar and MK Yoav Kisch, aims to build ties between members of parliament in the two countries and will focus on co-operation in trade, science, education and technology.

Former UK secretary of state for communities and local government Sir Eric Pickles and other visiting MPs attended the launch, along with several MKs.

Mr Bar said: “The historic connection between Britain and Zionism started before the establishment of the state of Israel. It is not a coincidence that in almost every city in Israel there is a 'Balfour' street, and that two of our greatest presidents - Chaim Weizmann and Chaim Herzog, were of British descent. To me personally, as the son of a British mother, it is especially important to maintain and strengthen the close relationship between our two countries.”

British Ambassador to Israel David Quarrey said: “Our new UK-Israel Parliamentary friendship group will build relations between Parliament and the Knesset and is yet another example of the strong ties that bind our two countries together. Such Parliamentary contacts are vital for thriving democracies such as the UK and Israel.”