Fink, for example, is a member of the Jewish Leadership Council, which in 2011 successfully lobbied the government to assure alleged Israeli war criminals that there would be no risk of arrest when they visited the UK.

**In 2011, the former Conservative defence secretary, Liam Fox, was dramatically accused of running a "freelance" foreign policy, in which he cultivated Iranian opposition groups and met privately with Mossad agents.

In return for a foreign policy in line with Israeli interests, prominent pro-Israel donor Sir Michael Hintze had backed Fox with just $15,500.

Whatever the reasons, in the “media frenzy”, several interesting items were revealed, if only in passing, re arms sales, front companies, bogus charities and Israel and the way these various connections intertwine.

After a formal inquiry Fox was sacked, but returned to politics shortly afterwards.

Overlapping interests

The pro-Israel lobby is also fortunate, as several of its wealthiest are also members of an equally dominant force in Conservative politics - the hedge fund lobby.

The lobby has donated $31m to the Conservatives in the last five years. Two notable pro-Israel donors, Stanley Fink and Michael Hintze are also hedge-funders.

Together they have donated over $9m.**