For the first time the "Presidential Medal of Distinction" will be awarded to a serving President of the United States of America by the President of the State of Israel
The recommendation: "President Obama has made a unique and significant contribution to strengthening the State of Israel and the security of its citizens."
The President of the State of Israel, President Shimon Peres, will bestow the Presidential Medal of Distinction upon the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. The award will be bestowed upon President Obama during a state dinner hosted in his honor by President Peres in his residence in Jerusalem during the president's upcoming visit to Israel. At the dinner, which will be attended by senior figures from Israeli public life and the American administration, President Peres will bestow the Presidential Medal of Distinction upon President Obama and deliver a special speech to mark the occasion. It will be the first time in history that a serving president of the United States of America will receive an award of this kind from the president of the State of Israel. The decision to award President Obama the medal was taken today by President Peres following the recommendation of the advisory committee for the Presidential Medal of Distinction.
President Peres and the committee gave the following reasons for the award: "Barack Obama is a true friend of the State of Israel, and has been since the beginning of his public life. As President of the United States of America he has stood with Israel in times of crisis. During his time as president he has made a unique contribution to the security of the State of Israel, both through further strengthening the strategic cooperation between the countries and through the joint development of technology to defend against rockets and terrorism. A shining example of this cooperation is the development of the "Iron Dome", which saved the lives of countless Israeli's and provided the government diplomatic maneuverability in times of crisis. Barack Obama's presidency is typified by an unswerving belief and ongoing fight for equality without any regard for religion, race, sexuality or gender and the strengthening of the weakest in society in the United States; and for the fulfillment of the values of democracy, human rights, solidarity and peace across the world. Through his personal story and his agenda as President of the United States of America, Barack Obama is a symbol of democratic values and he exemplifies the spirit of equality of opportunity in American society."
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 Tikkun Olam (Bettering the World), 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 Samuel 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."
Previous winners of the award include former Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger, the Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Mr. Zubin Mehta, Attorney Uri Slonim, Judy Feld Carr, The Rashi Foundation and Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. The advisory committee for the Presidential Medal of Disctinction includes retired Supreme Court President Meir Shamgar, former President Yitzhak Navon, Professor Suzie Navot, Dr. Mohammed Issawi, Rabbi Dr. Ratzon Arusi, Gil Shwed and Professor Anita Shapira.
