THE MP for North East Hampshire was honoured for his support of Israel during a tree-planting ceremony near Jerusalem.

James Arbuthnot, the former chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFoI) group, planted a tree with representatives of the UK branch of the Jewish National Fund.

He said: “This was a very poignant experience for me. Jerusalem is a very special city, Israel a special country, and to have a tree planted in my name is something I treasure. This has added another dimension to my support of Israel.”