IN PICTURES: Sir Eric Pickles leads parliamentary delegation to Israel
![Eric Pickles [sitting on the left] with Israel's president Reuven Rivlin, sitting on the right](https://static.jewishnews.co.uk/jewishnews/uploads/2015/07/image1-61.jpg "Eric Pickles [sitting on the left] with Israel's president Reuven Rivlin, sitting on the right")
Sir Eric Pickles has led a group of MPs on a delegation to Israel.
The Conservative Friends of Israel group met Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin during the trip, in addition to Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and new British Ambassador David Quarrey.
PHOTO: @CFoI delegation with Deputy Foreign Minister @TzipiHotovely @KnessetIL @andrewpercy @JohnHowellMP @GutoBebb pic.twitter.com/qfE71rTrkB
— CFoI (@CFoI) July 29, 2015
The delegation also saw remains of rockets fired from Gaza during a trip to Sderot Sderot near Gaza and vivised Bethlehem in the West Bank.
PHOTO: @CFoI delegation at Erez crossing on Israel-Gaza border @Offord4Hendon @bobblackmanmp @GutoBebb @JohnHowellMP pic.twitter.com/1WR635qKAV
— CFoI (@CFoI) July 27, 2015
PHOTO: @andrewpercy @bobblackmanmp @Offord4Hendon with remains of Hamas rockets in Sderot pic.twitter.com/iKvOPqIDqv
— CFoI (@CFoI) July 27, 2015
Pickles said: “Our itinery has afforded us an insight into the many faces of Israel; from the country’s vibrant democracy to the scientific advances of the Weitzmann Institute and the gift of life, that Save a Child’s Heart has given to almost 4,000 children with congenital heart defects from Gaza, the West Bank and beyond.”
He added: “Israel can rest assured it has a steadfast friend in the conservative Party and my fellow officers and I have renewed determination to support Israel in Parliamwnt and showcase its achievements.”
PHOTO: @CFoI delegation visiting incredible @WeizmannScience in Israel @WEIZMANNUK pic.twitter.com/gl22bTponk
— CFoI (@CFoI) July 28, 2015
Really special morning in a hospital with young heart patients from Gaza. Amazing work by @SACHtweets pic.twitter.com/ryON6AJTue — Andrew Percy (@andrewpercy) July 28, 2015
Attending the trip will be CFI’s new team of Parliamentary Officers, including MPs Guto Bebb, John Howell, Andrew Percy, Bob Blackman, Matthew Offord, Chloe Smith and Heather Wheeler. Oolver Dowden was also this week announced as an officer.
PHOTO: @CFoI delegation with @YeshAtidParty leader Yair Lapid @andrewpercy @Offord4Hendon @EricPickles @JohnHowellMP pic.twitter.com/CMQMNQ7i2j — CFoI (@CFoI) July 29, 2015
CFI director Stuart polak said: “Israel needs its strongest friends to be up-to-date on these crucial issues going into this new Parliament”.
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