36. Col. Richard Kemp

Col. Richard Kemp is one of the most passionate advocates for Israel and the Israel Defense Forces. He received an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University in honor of his defense of Israel and his strengthening of Israel’s standing in the world. He is an active board member of Friends of Israel Initiative and NGO Monitor, a research institute based in Israel.
In 2009, at an emergency session of the UN in Geneva, Col. Kemp vigorously refuted Judge Goldstone’s allegations of war crimes against the Israel Defense Forces during Operation Cast Lead. In 2015 he gave evidence to the United Nations Commission of Inquiry investigating the Gaza conflict and addressed the UN Human Rights Council rejecting the Commission’s report.
Previously, Col. Kemp has commanded British troops on the front line of some of the world’s toughest conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans and Northern Ireland. He is an expert in counter-terrorism and has advised Prime Ministers on national security.