Herzog reveals recipients of 'Presidental Medal of Honor' for their contributions to the country

President Isaac Herzog announced today (Sunday) the awarding of the Israeli Presidental Medal of Honor to a number of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the State of Israel and to global society.

This year’s recipients include prominent figures from the fields of law, society, culture, and technology, among them:

• Prof. Avi Ohry, a pioneer of rehabilitative medicine in Israel

• Retired Supreme Court Justice George Karra

• Author Galila Ron-Feder Amit

• Holocaust scholar Prof. Dina Porat

• One of the founding fathers of the “Startup Nation” and founder of Mirabilis (ICQ), Dr. Yossi Vardi

• The spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif

• Founder of the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra, Moti Malka

• Philanthropist and Israel Hayom publisher Dr. Miriam Adelson

• Publisher of the German newspaper Bild, Mathias Döpfner

The medal will be awarded at an official ceremony at the President’s Residence after the Jewish High Holidays, which end in the middle of October. The nominees were selected by an advisory committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Prof. Yoram Danziger.

“Your unique contribution is a shining example of extraordinary achievement,” said Herzog in personal conversation with each of the honorees. “The State of Israel owes you a deep debt of gratitude for your work and your commitment to the values of excellence, solidarity, and innovation.”

The president also expressed concern and solidarity regarding the hostages, emphasizing: “Even at this very moment, the hostages remain in all of our hearts – we have not forgotten them and continue to act and pray for their swift return.”

The medal, an initiative of Israel’s ninth president, Shimon Peres, has been awarded since 2012 to individuals whose talents and contributions have made them role models in various fields.

Past recipients include former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; Oscar-winning director, Steven Spielberg; industrialist Stef Wertheimer; social activist Ruth Dayan; singer-songwriter Chava Alberstein; and Kan News journalist Carmela Menashe.