The advert, which covered half a broadsheet page in Wednesday’s edition of The Independent, is the first of a campaign that is the biggest in the UK arm’s history.

Under the heading, ‘Things aren’t always what they seem to be…’ the ad shows a group of charedi men standing before the Western Wall, one of whom is wearing a red ‘Jews for Jesus’ tee shirt beneath his traditional coat.

The image, which has also appeared on billboard adverts sited in Jewish areas of north west London has so upset members of the community that the board of deputies is now in discussions with other community entities on how best to act on the complaints.

But Joseph Steinberg, the organisation’s UK director, told TJ the image was not intended to cause offence. He said: "We would have thought that the ad would evoke at least a smile, if not a laugh, after all, our people are known for having a good sense of humour.

The photo was obviously done tongue in cheek and we think most people will recognise that and not be offended. It is intended to catch the eye of the reader and then get them to read on. Those who are offended have chosen to take offence when none was intended."

It is not the first time the evangelical group has placed such adverts in the secular media. In the past it has placed a full-page advertisement in The Times, and has mounted campaigns on a similar scale in the United States and Europe.

Steinberg said: "The message is clear. Jewish people are literate and fully able to make determinations for themselves as to the truth or falsity of the claims of Jesus.

Either he is or he isn't the Messiah. We believe that rather than taking in pre-digested conclusions from others, that Jewish people should think for themselves and recognize that things aren't always as they appear to be."