President Isaac Herzog to award Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour to individuals who have made a unique contribution to the State of Israel

President Isaac Herzog today, Sunday, announced the recipients of the 2025 Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour.

The Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour is awarded by the President of the State of Israel to those ”who, by virtue of their skills, service, or in any other way, have made an exceptional contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity”. The medal was initiated by the Ninth President of Israel, Shimon Peres, and was first awarded in 2012.

Upon taking office, President Isaac Herzog appointed an advisory committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Professor Yoram Danziger, tasked with recommending worthy candidates for the medal. Since then, the President has awarded the medal to leading figures in Israel and abroad across diverse fields, including heads of state, key social leaders from various sectors, and Jewish leaders in Israel and worldwide.

The Presidential Medal of Honour will be presented to the recipients by the President at a special ceremony at the President’s Residence later this year.

The recipients announced today by the President are:

• Dr. Miriam Adelson
• Dr. Mathias Döpfner
• Justice (ret.) George Costa Karra
• Mr. Moti Malka
• Prof. Avi Ohry
• Prof. Dina Porat
• Mrs. Galila Ron-Feder Amit
• Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif
• Dr. Yossi Vardi

The President personally informed each of the laureates of their selection, and noted to the recipients: “Each and every one of you are a great personal example. Your unique contribution is worthy of special recognition. The State of Israel owes you profound gratitude for your work, for your uncompromising commitment to the values of excellence, solidarity, and innovation, and for your exceptional contribution to strengthening Israeli society and defending the State of Israel in the world.”

The President stressed: “Even at this very moment, the hostages are in all our hearts. We do not forget them, and we continue to act and to pray for their swift and immediate return.”