EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

On November 10, he Jewish National Fund of the USA gave the Shalom Peace Award to the Friends of Israel Initiative Chairman Jose Maria Aznar for his dedication to peace, humanity, and efforts on behalf of the State of Israel. Past recipients of this prestigious award include  Colin Powell,  Jehan Sadat, the widow of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat; Minister Margaret Thatcher; Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel or Ambassador Michael Oren.

Aznar highlighted in his gratitude speech that he believes in Israel, "in the vibrant, young, democratic and prosperous Israel that is behind major innovations and technical solutions that will help to solve many problems across the globe." He also asserted that "I decided to create the Friends of Israel Initiative because I felt that Israel was going through a very delicate situation."

At the end of his intervention, Aznar remarked that he defends Israel "because is the best form to defend the Western world, my security and prosperity."

Watch the Aznar's gratitude speech here.