The former president of the World Bank, Australian-born Sir James Wolfensohn, was one of 10 people who received honorary degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Sunday.

The university said Sir James, 77, was "a highly respected figure in the worlds of finance, world development and diplomacy.

"Wolfensohn is a loyal friend and energetic supporter of Israel, whose concern is reflected in his resolute commitment to bringing peace to Israel and its neighbours."

Meanwhile, Wolfensohn pulled out of a speech at the American University of Beirut, where he was due to receive an honorary doctorate on June 25, following pressure from anti-Israel activists.

But the university revoked the doctorate after a campaign against honouring him because of his ties with Israel.

Sir James, who led the World Bank from 1995 to 2005, was appointed as a special envoy for the Quartet on the Middle East five years ago, a role in which he oversaw Israel's disengagement from Gaza. He left the post a year later because of disagreements over how to engage with an elected Hamas.

In a statement the university expressed regret that Sir James had decided not to attend the ceremony "out of concern that his presence at the June commencement ceremony would distract from the celebratory nature of the event".