Ed Miliband Meets His Israeli Family (PICTURES)

Miliband Meets His Israeli Family
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Labour leader Ed Miliband renewed some old family ties during a trip to Israel.

Miliband, who was joined by his wife Justine, got some snaps for the family album which included a meeting with his 84 year-old Aunt Sarah Ben Zvi at her home on Nachshonim Kibbutz near Tel Aviv, Israel.

They also got to reminisce about his childhood visits to Israel.

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Ed Miliband and his wife Justine (right) meet his 84 year-old Aunt Sarah Ben Zvi at her home on Nachshonim Kibbutz

He was also confronted by some pictures of himself as a teenager which his aunt had kept among the family treasures in a photo album.

And there was a surprise for him in Jerusalem.

The five-day trip, which ends on Sunday, was designed as a mix of business and pleasure.

It was slotted into his busy schedule as he wanted to touch base with family members he has not seen in many years, according to his spokesman.

In political terms Miliband, who also has appointments with Palestinian and Israeli leaders, was there to listen and not to lecture, according to his spokesman, while on the personal front he wanted to reunite with his family.

Miliband views Israel as a special place in his heritage for the sanctuary it gave his family during the Holocaust and for the happiness found by his relatives who made it their home.