ISRAEL'S Ambassor made a passionate plea for peace during a major event in Bury to celebrate his country's 50th anniversary.

Mr Dror Zeigerman addressed more than 180 guests at a glittering "Showcase Israel" dinner on Tuesday, (June 16) on the eve of the borough's biggest ever business-to-business bonanza.

Both events, organised by Bury Council and Business Link Bolton and Bury and held at the Town Hall, helped strengthen the borough's already sturdy links with the Jewish community.

Both the high-profile dinner and Wednesday's trade exhibition, which came under the "Showcase Israel" banner, were fitting events for Israel's 50th birthday celebrations.

Mr Zeigerman and his wife Asi were welcomed by Bury's mayor, Councillor Connie Fitzgerald as a four-strong horn section from Bury Music Centre seranded guests with a selection of music.

Other VIPs and dignitaries at the "black tie" affair, sponsored by BT, included two Israeli mayors, Mr Yacov Sandler and Mr Benny Kashriel of Rehovot and Ma'aleh Adumim respectively; Ivan Lewis, the Bury South MP; Joy Wolfe, president of the Zionist Central Council of Greater Manchester and convenor of "Israel 50" Manchester; Mr Dennis Taylor, chief executive of Bury Council and Mr Richard Yates, chairman of Business Link Bolton and Bury.

Coun Fitzgerald told the guests: "This dinner is very special. It reinforces our business and commercial links with Israel."

Israeli Ambassador Mr Zeigerman said: "This anniversary is a truly momentous event."

Commenting on ongoing negotiations to forge a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, he emphasised: "We are in the middle of the peace process - the Government is committed to that peace process."

He was particularly upbeat about Israel's economic and business strengths which had brought increasing prosperity to its people.

The aim of Wednesday's trade show was to stimulate business relations between the UK and Israel.

Almost 30 companies and agencies took stands at Bury Town Hall, representing a broad cross section of commercial and industrial interests.

Among the exhibitors were the Israeli Information Service, Israeli Travel Service, Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce, Bury and Bolton Export Club, Soda Club and El Al Airlines.

The show, the biggest business to business event ever staged in Bury, was seen as being highly instrumental in establishing lucrative and lasting investment and trading links between both countries.

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