"Four percent of Israelis define themselves as vegans, it's the most vegan country in the world," according to Omri Paz, organiser of the "Vegan Fest" fair, where stands offered pea-based hot dogs, tofu doner kebabs and wheat gluten goulash.

Like vegetarians, vegans do not eat meat but they also eschew all animal products including milk, eggs and honey with some refusing to wear leather or use cosmetics tested on animals.

The Vegan Fest in trendsetting Tel Aviv, where veganism has the most acolytes, attracted 15,000 people in a day.

The most-visited stand at the specialised food fair was that of US pizza giant Domino's, which last year launched in Israel a vegan vegetable pizza topped with soy cheese, a global first for the company which has reportedly sold 300,000 of them so far.

In Tel Aviv, one of the city's best known restaurants, Nanushka, renowned for its vodka-laced grills and party atmosphere, announced its conversion in February and completely rewrote its menu.

And TV's Big Brother show became a platform for animal rights when vegan activist Tal Gilboa took part and won.

Even the army, in which most Israeli young men and women have to serve, now offers soldiers leather-free boots and a small allowance to buy themselves alternatives to the food in mess halls.

Facebook is full of dedicated Israeli vegan communities and is divided into sub-groups, such as "Vegays" for gay vegans and "vegan teenagers" who want special menus in school canteens.

Israel seems predisposed to veganism.

Fruit and vegetables are an important part of most people's diet, with staples such as humus and felafel made from chick peas.

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