The President of Bulgaria between 2012 and 2017, Rosen Plevneliev received the prize "Friends of Israel" for 2016, announced by the office of head of state. He was awarded the prize for his active and consistent support to the Jewish people.

Plevneliev received his award at a ceremony in Jerusalem that was attended by the President of Israel Reuven Rivlin, representatives of the most influential Jewish organizations around the world and many politicians, including the Former Ambassador of Israel Mr. Shaul Kamisa Raz who came to congratulate his friend for the ceremony (Mr. Kamisa Raz has previously received the honorary prize "Stara Planina" which is the highest mark given by the Presidency of Bulgaria, that was bestowed to him by Mr. Plevneliev), the former ambassador of Israel in Bulgaria, Mr. Cohen, and the ambassador of Bulgaria in Israel, H.E. Mr. Mihailov. The President of BCCBI, Mr. Avinoam Katrieli also met both the Presidents of Israel and Bulgaria during the visit of Mr. Reven Rivlin in Bulgaria.

"Friends of Israel" is awarded to prominent friends of the country that have international contribution to the understanding of societies and people who oppose the use of hate speech and anti-Semitism as a means of imposing enmity between nations. "I accept this award on behalf of the entire Bulgarian nation that 70 years ago served an example for the World with its courage and humanity. I dedicate this award to all Bulgarians, who with their active citizenship saved the lives of their Jewish friends threatened with deportation to Nazi concentration camps of death. Our friendship has proved true also during the terrorist attack at Sarafovo airport. We managed to overcome it together and to become stronger and more cohesive", said Plevneliev upon receiving the award.

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