MBE awarded to UJIA's Regional Director for Israel

British Ambassador to Israel Tom Phillips has presented the award of an honorary MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) to Natie Shevel, UJIA's Regional Director for Israel. Mr Shevel was awarded the MBE for services to strengthening links between the UK and Israel.

The award of an MBE is given for outstanding achievement or service in and to the community, or for local 'hands-on' service which stands out as an example to others. At the investiture ceremony for family, friends and UJIA colleagues, Ambassador Phillips paid tribute to Mr. Shevel's years of service to UJIA and his central role in overseeing the delivery of charitable programmes in Israel totalling some £8million annually from funds raised in the UK.

Mr Shevel has played a central part "in an organisation at the heart of the people-to-people links between Israel and the UK which make such an important contribution to the bilateral relationship between our two countries, and of course to Israel's development," Ambassador Phillips told the guests who assembled at his Ramat Gan residence.

The Ambassador also highlighted Mr Shevel's "key role with central and regional government and other NGOs in Israel in the development of a strategic focus on the long-term regeneration of the Galilee for the benefit of all - Arab as well as Jewish - residents of the region."

"Natie also led first-hand UJIA's relief effort to provide support and care for the civilian population of the Galilee at the time of the 2006 conflict, and subsequently for the distressed communities in the south in the face of sustained rocket fire from Gaza," Ambassador Phillips added.

Before presenting Mr Shevel with the insignia, Ambassador Phillips said: "Natie, it is in recognition of these valuable services that Her Majesty The Queen has appointed you to be an Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. It is with great pleasure that, on Her Majesty's behalf, I present you with the Badge of the Order. I add my own personal congratulations and, I am sure, those of everyone here this evening."

To find out more and see pictures from the event visit the British Embassy in Israel website.