Northern Ireland Friends of Israel is a group dedicated to fostering better relations between Northern Ireland and the State of Israel. It was launched by the deputy ambassador of Israel, Talya Lador-Fresher, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Henry Grunwald and former First Minister Ian Paisley on 12 March 2009 in Belfast at the Great Hall, Stormont. Until his death on 3 November 2009, Lord Leonard Steinberg served as president. The current president is Gerald Steinberg and the co-chairmen are Steven Jaffe and Andrew Shaw.