FORMER US president Bill Clinton joined 1,600 guests at Alexandra Palace for a gala dinner on Wednesday.

The event was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the JNF charity, which is one of the largest charities in the British Jewish community. It followed two similar gala events in Glasgow and Manchester on Monday and Tuesday.

The ex-president was well known for his work in the Israeli peace process and was described by Gail Seal, president of the JNF, on the night as a "true friend of Israel".

Security was at a maximum for the visit. A number of road closures were orchestrated by the police, leading to traffic chaos iover a widespread area.

A small but vocal anti-war protest was made as guests were arriving but it was not on the same scale as the demonstration in Glasgow which involved 300 campaigners.

The JNF hopes to raise £1.25million through the £250-a-head dinners. The money will go towards the cost of building the Clinton reservoir in the Negev desert area of Israel.