Sir Marcus Sieft, the Anglo Jewish leader, was made a member of the House of Lords in the New Year Honors List, published yesterday. Sir Marcus, who is chairman of the Marks and Spencer retail empire, is expected to assume the title of Lord Sieft, which was held by his late father, Israel Sieff.
Born in 1913, Marcus Sieff has always closely identified himself with Zionism and Israel. His father was an early associate of Chaim Weizmann and during Israel’s War of independence, Marcus served as a senior logistics officer with the Israeli Defense Forces.
A former chairman of the Anglo-Israel Chamber of Commerce, he has helped to make Marks and Spencer a major outlet for Israeli-made goods in Britain. He has also been an outspoken critic of the Arab boycott and his entry into the House of Lords will be a major boost for the pro-Israeli cause in Britain. (By Mourice Samualon)
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