Head of Yeshiva, former minister, and chairman of the Organization of Victims of Hostilities: These are the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Distinction for 2026
Isaac Herzog will award 11 medals to individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the State of Israel and humanity. Among the recipients are actress Yona Elian-Keshet, Rimon School of Music founder Yehuda Eder, Prof. Mooli Lahad, and social activist Ziva Mekonen. "They express the values of giving and mutual guarantee," the President stated.
Actress Yona Elian-Keshet, founder of Reichman University Prof. Uriel Reichman, chairman of the Organization of Victims of Hostilities Avie Moses, and founder of the Rimon School of Music Yehuda Eder are among those selected by President Isaac Herzog to receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction for 2026.
The "Presidential Medal of Distinction" is awarded to individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the State of Israel and humanity through their talent, service, or other achievements. First awarded in 2012 by then-President Shimon Peres, the recipients were selected by a public advisory committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Prof. Yoram Danziger. The ceremony will take place in September.
This year, the medal will be awarded to 11 individuals across various fields:
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Scientist Prof. Hossam Haick (Technion)
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Medical psychologist Prof. Mooli Lahad
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Prof. Hefziba Lifshitz (Bar-Ilan University)
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Ornithologist Prof. Yossi Leshem (Tel Aviv University)
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Social activist Ziva Mekonen
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Former minister, Adv. Moshe Nissim
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Head of the Hesder Yeshiva in Ma'ale Adumim, Rabbi Haim Sabato
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Actress Yona Elian-Keshet
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Founder of Reichman University, Prof. Uriel Reichman
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Chairman of the Organization of Victims of Hostilities, Avie Moses
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Founder of the Rimon School of Music, Yehuda Eder
President Herzog personally congratulated each of the winners: "Every year I am amazed anew by the people who, through their work, commitment, and contribution, strengthen Israeli society. The recipients express the values of giving, responsibility, and mutual guarantee upon which the State of Israel is founded. I thank you for your important work and for the personal example you set for all of us."
Avie Moses remarked: "I am receiving this news while standing next to 250 students about to start first grade—all of them children who lost their most precious ones in Israel's wars. This is a moving moment that reminds me of the importance of our mission: to accompany these children, strengthen them, and give them hope."
Prof. Mooli Lahad, a world-renowned expert, has contributed to disaster relief efforts globally, including in Japan and Sri Lanka, and developed models for coping with the 9/11 disaster. Following October 7, he provided critical support to residents of the Upper and Western Galilee. "Since October 2023, the concept of resilience has been intertwined with trauma. We were hit significantly, both as a community and as individuals, but we rose from the ashes," he stated.
