The London-Jerusalem car rally has set off in celebration of Israel's 60th birthday, but two young men will not be coming back.

Twenty-five classic and contemporary cars set off from Waterloo Place on the 2,500-mile journey across Europe, which will take 18 days.

Among the participants were Yaniv Cohen, 26, from Manchester, and Alexander Singer, 28, from London, who are driving together in a 1948 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.

But the pair will not be returning to London at the end of their trip because they are immigrating to Israel with the help of Nefesh B'Nefesh, an organisation dedicated to revitalising immigration to Israel from the UK.

Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor and Lord Mayor of Westminster Carolyn Keen waved the cars on their way as the JNF UK Car Rally made its way to Dover.

From there the cars will cross France, Switzerland, Italy and Greece before being air freighted to Tel Aviv.

When they arrive in Jerusalem the drivers will be greeted at the Knesset by Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert.

Tony Gelbart, chairman of Nefesh B'Nefesh, said: "We are thrilled to be facilitating the immigration of Aly and Yan and helping make their absorption easier."

Chief executive of humanitarian organisation JNF Simon Winters said: "It promises to be a memorable and stunning journey - a most unique and special way to get to Israel for all our participants."