President Shimon Peres will confer the Presidential Medal of Distinction on German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The medal is the highest civilian award in Israel and is being bestowed upon Dr. Merkel for her unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and the fight against anti-Semitism and racism in particular through education. The award will be conferred upon Chancellor Merkel during a special ceremony (Tuesday 25th Adar I 5774 at 15:30) at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem during her upcoming visit to Israel.

At the event, which will be attended by senior figures involved in Israeli-German relations, President Peres will confer the Presidential Medal of Distinction upon Chancellor Merkel and they will both deliver speeches to mark the occasion. Following the ceremony President Peres and Chancellor Merkel will hold a diplomatic working meeting during which they will discuss the negotiations between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority), the Iranian nuclear program and relations between Israel and Germany.

President Peres and the committee gave the following reasons for the award: “Dr. Angela Merkel, is an exceptional leader with a deep moral conviction and high ideals including in her warm relations with the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Chancellor Merkel sets a wonderful example on education against anti-Semitism, racism and hate and works tirelessly to expand the work being done on these issues with the aim of educating future generations in Germany towards equality, tolerance and acceptance of the other. Chancellor Merkel not only strengthened the diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany but also the security relations. This commitment has been exemplified by the numerous examples of Germany standing absolutely by Israel’s side within the European Union and the firm stance taken by the government against the delegitimization of Israel in the world. Chancellor Merkel placed Germany’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security at the forefront of relations between the two countries. The strategic and security cooperation between Israel and Germany have reached new heights under her leadership. Chancellor Merkel is a leader of vision and foresight, an outstanding personality and she has captured the hearts of the entire world. She is a leader whose values inspire hope and whose actions inspire wonder.”

Background Information on the Presidential Medal of Distinction:

The Presidential Medal of Distinction is awarded to private individuals and organizations that have made unique and outstanding contributions to Tikun Olam, Israeli society and the State of Israel’s image around the world, and which constitute examples of initiative, innovation, creativity and vision. The medals themselves feature the North Star to symbolize the right path and a menorah, the symbol of Israel and the continuous link between past and present.

The medal is crowned with the words from Shmuel 9:2 “From his shoulders and upward.” The Presidential Medal of Distinction is comparable to the “Legion of Honor” (France) or the “Order of Canada.”

The advisory committee for the Presidential Medal of Distinction includes retired Supreme Court President Meir Shamgar, former President Yitzhak Navon, Professor Suzie Navot, Dr. Mohammed Issawi, Rabbi Dr. Ratzon Arussi, Gil Shwed and Professor Anita Shapira.

Previous winners of the award include US President Barack Obama, former US President Bill Clinton, Elie Wiesel, former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director Zubin Mehta, Attorney Uri Slonim, Judy Feld Carr, the Rashi Foundation and Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)