Honorees of the evening, John Bolton, Fiamma Nirenstein and Jose Maria Aznar. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting, CAMERA, welcomed over 500 supporters to The Friends of Israel Initiative at Chelsea Piers in New York, Arpil 10.  The initiative is a newly launched CAMERA project aimed at countering efforts to delegitimize Israel.  Three distinguished advocates for Israel were honored:  Jose Maria Aznar, former President of Spain, John Bolton, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and Fiamma Nirenstein, a member of the Italian Parliament and widely published journalist.

Each of the honoree’s spoke with a level of eloquence and dedication rarely heard in ‘Dinner Speeches.’ The special greeting of Jose Maria Aznar , a founder of the Friends of Israel Project was warmly received by the audience. John Bolton cautioned that strength and diligence were essential.

CAMERA battles inaccurate and distorted accounts of events in Israel and the Middle East in all areas of the media, recognizing that inaccurate and skewed characterizations of Israel and of events in the Middle East may fuel anti-Israel and anti-Jewish prejudice.

Former Ambassador John Bolton and Israel Advocate Kenneth Bialkin Chairman of the America-Israel Friendship League. Photo: Maxine Dovere.