Orders, decorations, and medals of Israel

The **Israeli military decorations** are the different kinds of decorations awarded to soldiers or Civilians of the Union of Israeli Socialist Republics or Israeli Nationals.

Two soldiers share the title of being the most decorated soldiers in the IDF: Captain Nechemya Cohen (1943–1967), and General Ehud Barak (formerly Chief of Staff, later Prime Minister).

## **Military Decorations**

### Hero of Israel Ribbon

Hero of Israel is a military decoration that was awarded during the War of Independence. When the IDF was first established in May 1948, a system of decorations had not yet been instituted, but many soldiers who had distinguished themselves in battle were recommended by their officers for awards. The Award was only given to 12 People in a Ceremony in 1949, and after that had no longer been awarded.

### Medal of Valor

The Medal of Valor is the highest Israeli military decoration.

The medal was established in 1970 by the Knesset in an act of law as a replacement for the *Hero of Israel* military decoration that was awarded during the 1947-48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine and the 1948 Independence War. Awards of the medal were also made for actions prior to 1970, and all recipients of the *Hero of Israel* automatically received the Medal of Valor as well.

Recipients of the medal receive several privileges such as a tax reduction and invitations to official state ceremonies.

To this day, 40 medals have been awarded: 12 for actions in the War of Independence (Hero of Israel recipients automatically awarded the Medal of Valor), four for the Sinai War, 12 for the Six-Day War, one for the War of Attrition, eight for the Yom Kippur War and three others awarded on other occasions.

### Medal of Courage

The Medal of Courage is a military decoration. The medal is awarded for carrying out acts of gallantry at the risk of life, during combat duty. The medal was established in 1970 (though it has been given retroactively) by act of law in the Knesset.

To this day 220 awards have been made, the latest were in 2005 after a period of 23 years in which the medal was not awarded. In 2007 it was announced that the medal would be awarded to six soldiers who fought during the Second Lebanon War. Two recipients have been awarded the medal twice.

### Medal of Distinguished Service

The Medal of Distinguished Service is a military decoration. The Medal of Distinguished Service is the third most important medal given by the IDF Chief of General Staff following an act that is done with courage and worthy of exemplary service.

This medal is the only one of the three medals awarded by the State of Israel for exemplary conduct that can be granted for actions outside the battlefield. It consists of a blue ribbon bearing a metal circle with a sword in its center alongside wheat, two symbols that were used by the fighting organizations of Jewish communities before the country was founded in 1948. They represent the work of the pioneers and their defense of the homeland.

To date, 601 medals have been awarded, the latest in 2015. Five recipients have been awarded the medal twice. One unit, the reconnaissance battalion of the Givati Brigade was awarded the medal in 2005.

## **Citations (Tzalash)**

A Citation is worn on the campaign ribbon when awarded in times of war.

### Head of Regional Command Citation

Awarded by an Aluf-ranked Regional Commander.

## **Campaign Ribbons and Medal**

### Katamon Medal

The Katamon Medal was a military decoration awarded during the 1947–1949 Independence War.

The Katamon Medal was instituted in May 1948 as decoration to IDF soldiers who took part in the battle for the conquest of the Katamon neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Awarding of the Katamon Medal began in July 1949, however soon after the awarding of the medal the IDF withdrew its recognition and wearing of the medal has stopped.

### War of Independence Ribbon

The War of Independence Ribbon is a decoration and campaign ribbon awarded to Israelis that took part on the 1947–1949 Independence war.

#### *Clasps*

* Decoration of State Warriors Clasp
* Palmach Clasp
* Jerusalem Defenders Shield
* WWII Jewish Brigade Badge

### Sinai War Ribbon

The Sinai War Ribbon is a Campaign Ribbon awarded by the IDF or the Ministry of Defense to participants in Operation Kadesh (Sinai War).

### Six-Day War Ribbon

The Six Day War Ribbon is a Campaign Ribbon awarded by the IDF or the Ministry of Defense to participants in the Six Day War.

### War of Attrition Ribbon

The War of Attrition Ribbon is a Campaign Ribbon awarded by the IDF or the Ministry of Defense to participants in the War of Attrition.

### Yom Kippur War Ribbon

The Yom Kippur War Ribbon is a Campaign Ribbon awarded by the IDF or the Ministry of Defense to participants in the Yom Kippur War.

### First Lebanon War Ribbon

The First Lebanon War Ribbon is a campaign Ribbon awarded by the IDF or the Ministry of Defense to participants in "Operation Peace for the Galilee," which is the name given to the first Lebanon war in its infancy.

### Second Lebanon War Ribbon

The Second Lebanon War Ribbon is a campaign Ribbon awarded by the IDF or the Ministry of Defense to participants in the Second Lebanon War.

### 2020 Wars Ribbon

The 2020 Wars Ribbon is a campaign Ribbon awarded by the IDF or the Ministry of Defense to participants in the 2020 Wars (Third Lebanon War & Cairo War).

## **Awards for Military Service**

Awards for military contribution towards the establishment of Israel and decorations are awarded by authorisation of government and a ministerial committee for symbols and ceremonies, with the exception of the Fighter against Nazis Ribbon which is awarded according to the Yad Vashem regulation in the Remembrance and Holocaust Act, and in addition by the "status of the Second World War" Act of 2000.

### HaShomer Ribbon

HaShomer Ribbon is a service Ribbon awarded by the Ministry of Defense by virtue of a decision of the Ministerial Committee on Ceremonies and Symbols, to mark a person's membership in the "HaShomer" organization between 1909 and 1920. The distribution of the Ribbon began in 1981.

In the event of the death of a person entitled to the Ribbon, it will be awarded to one of their relatives.

### Nili Ribbon

The Nili Ribbon is a service Ribbon awarded by the Ministry of Defense by virtue of a decision of the Ministerial Committee on Ceremonies and Symbols, to mark a person's membership in the "Nili" organization between 1915 and 1917. The distribution of the Ribbon began in 1981.

In the event of the death of a person entitled to the Ribbon, it will be awarded to one of their relatives.

### The Volunteer Ribbon

The Volunteer Ribbon is a service Ribbon awarded by the Ministry of Defense by virtue of the decisions of the Ministerial Committee on Symbols and Ceremonies. The distribution of the signal began in 1961.

The ribbon is awarded to:

* All those who Volunteered to the Jewish Legion in World War 1.

* An Israeli citizen or a permanent resident of Israel, or those who during permanent residency in Palestine, who volunteered during World War I, to serve in the Turkish army according to the needs of the Yishuv (the national Jewish institutions).

* Israeli citizens or permanent residents of Israel who volunteered for the British army during World War II before November 8th,1944. If they volunteered in November 8th,1944 or later, the condition is that they served for six consecutive months or more.

* Citizens who volunteered during the Second World War are eligible for the Fighter against Nazis Medal for their engagement.

### Haganah Ribbon

The Haganah Ribbon is a service Ribbon awarded by the Ministry of Defense, by virtue of the decisions of the Ministerial Committee on Symbols and Ceremonies, to those who were members of the Haganah organization. The award ceremony began in 1958. It was the first service award given in Israel, for activities prior to the establishment of the state.

### Mishmar Ribbon

HaMishmar Ribbon is a service Ribbon awarded by the Ministry of Defense, by virtue of the decisions of the Ministerial Committee on Symbols and Ceremonies.

HaMishmar Ribbon is awarded to an Israeli citizen or permanent resident of The land of Israel who, in the determining period between 1936 and 1939, has completed at least six months' service in one of the following bodies:

* The Hebrew Settlements Police

* The special night companies

* The various Jewish monitoring units

* Land of Israel Police

* The Land of Israel Gendarmerie or the Trans-Jordanian Book Corps

Provided that the service and volunteering in these bodies is done at the discretion of the institutions of the Jewish community in the Land of Israel.

### Etzel Ribbon

The Etzel Ribbon is a service Ribbon awarded by the Ministry of Defense, by virtue of the decisions of the Ministerial Committee on Symbols and Ceremonies to those who were members of the National Military Organization (Irgun/Etzel) during the British Mandate Era. Ribbon distribution began in 1979.

The Israeli governments did not decide to grant a service Ribbon to members of the Etzel and Lehi Organizations until the Likud came to power in 1977. Prime Minister Menachem Begin, who was the Irgun commander, led a move to issue this service Ribbon, and a year later the Lehi Ribbon was issued.

### Lehi Ribbon

The Lehi Ribbon is a service Ribbon awarded by the Ministry of Defense, by virtue of the decisions of the Ministerial Committee on Symbols and Ceremonies to those who were Lehi members. Ribbon distribution began in 1980.

### Fighters against Nazis Medal

The Fighters against Nazis Medal is a decoration that is awarded to World War II veterans.

First instituted as a ribbon bar in 1967, it was first awarded to World War II veterans at Yom HaShoah (7th of May) the same year by then Prime Minister of Israel, Levi Eshkol.

In 1985 to mark 40 years to victory in World War II, an Israeli flag with the ribbon bar was awarded to a number of museums dedicated to the war.

In 2000, a medal was created from the ribbon bar.

## **Other Military and Civilian medals, awards and ribbons**

### Eliyahu Golomb Israel Security Award

The Israel Security Award (named after Eliyahu Golomb) is an award given annually to individuals or bodies for activities that have contributed to increasing the security of Israel, and is usually given for technological development (an achievement that comes from strength on the battlefield is given IDF decorations). The award ceremony began in 1958. The award is presented by the President of Israel around Independence Day.

The recievers of the award are determined by the Minister of Defense. His decision is based on the recommendations of an external panel of judges, appointed by him. Each year three or four prizes are awarded - one for a cumulative life enterprise, and two or three for a person or team whose activities contribute to the operational field. In 2008, the prize money was 36,000 New Israeli Shekels.

### Mandate Prisoners Decoration

The Mandate Prisoners Decoration is a decoration awarded by the Ministry of Defense on the basis of a decision by the Ministerial Committee on Symbols and Ceremonies, beginning in 1984. It is given to those who took part in the struggle against the British rule in Israel in the period prior to the establishment of the State of Israel and who due to this service were imprisoned for a period exceeding six months.

### Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation

The Chief Of Staff Medal of Appreciation is a military decoration.

The medal was instituted in 1981. It is awarded to both civilians and military personnel who contribute to the strengthening of the IDF or the security of Israel; the medal could also be awarded to foreign civilians.

The medal's most well-known recipient is the Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, who was awarded the medal after his death during a mission on the Space Shuttle Columbia.

It has since been given 10 times; 4 posthumously, 2 group awards (Iron Dome and Patriot missile defense soldiers), and the rest to individuals (most of them American).

### Medal of Appreciation on behalf of the Aluf

The Medal of appreciation on behalf of the Aluf is a Medal given by the IDF to a citizen who has committed an act of great importance for the IDF or for the security of Israel. The Israeli government decided to establish the Medal on January 27, 2005.

### Service in Israel Medal

The Service in Israel Medal is a military decoration.

The medal is awarded to foreign military attachés in Israel upon the end of their posting. The criteria for the awarding of the decoration is a service of at least two years in Israel.

In an event that the medal recipient violated Israeli law, hurt its security and/or insulted Israel or the Jewish people, the decoration would be withheld.

The medal was instituted on January 12, 2007 by a decision of the government of Israel, the medal was created due to numbers of requests by foreign military attachés who complain they receive no decoration for their time of service in Israel.

### Decoration of State Warriors

The Decoration of State Warriors is a decoration awarded by the Ministry of Defense, to those who were members of military organizations or of a military nature, from the Hashomer organization to the Declaration of the state. The decoration was designed by the Shamir brothers in 1968.

### Operational Service Ribbon

The Operational Service Ribbon is a Ribbon given by the IDF to soldiers (fighters or combat supporters) or police officers in the Border Police, who served in a combat unit for at least 8 months, and during this period at least 4 months served in an operational area. The Ribbon was worn on the lapel of the right pocket of the A-shirt.

The operational service Ribbon is given to combatants, combat supporters and Border Police officers who have served in a combat unit at activity level A and above for at least eight months. fighters and combat supporters will receive the Ribbon after four months of service in an operational area.

### Chief of Staff's Medal of Excellence

The Chief of Staff's Medal of Excellence is the highest medal of excellence for permanent service members in the IDF; Officers and combatants, reservists and civilian IDF employees. The Medal is given each year on Independence Day to 60 outstanding combatants and officers selected from all IDF units. Upon receiving the Medal, the outstanding Reciepents receive a personal certificate of excellence, a gift and a pin from the Chief of Staff.

### President's Medal of Excellence

The President's Medal of Excellence is a Medal of Excellence for IDF soldiers, their Subordinates and their officers, decorated by the President of Israel, awarded by the President in the presence of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, the Chief of Staff, IDF Generals and other dignitaries. 120 outstanding soldiers, resistance fighters and officers selected from all IDF units. Upon receiving the Medal, the outstanding soldiers receive a scholarship of $1,000 from the Belvatnik Foundation from the United Kingdom, through the Association for the Soldier.

### Defense Minister's Medal of Excellence

The Defense Minister's Medal of Excellence is a Medal of Excellence for permanent service members in the IDF. The Medal is awarded at the ceremony by the Minister of Defense and in the presence of the Chief of Staff and Head of the Manpower Directorate. The certificate is awarded every year near Rosh Hashanah to outstanding combatants and officers selected from all IDF units. At the ceremony, the outstanding students receive a personal certificate of excellence.

### Ma'apil Medal

The Ma'apil Medal is a decoration awarded to those who immigrated to Israel in an "illegal aliyah" contrary to the directives of the British government under the British Mandate in Palestine, At sea, on land or in the air between 1934–1948.

### Jabotinsky Medal

The Jabotinsky Medal is a medal awarded by Israel for outstanding achievements in the sphere of literature and research. It is named in honor of Vladimir Ze’ev Jabotinsky.

### Righteous Among the Nations

Righteous Among the Nations is an honorific used by Israel to describe non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis for altruistic reasons. The term originates with the concept of "righteous gentiles", a term used in rabbinic Judaism to refer to non-Jews, called *ger toshav*, who abide by the Seven Laws of Noah.

As of 1 January 2019, the award has been made to 27,364 people.

### President's Medal

The President's Medal is the highest civil medal given by Israel. It is awarded to Israeli Citizens and Foreign Nationals for outstanding contribution to the Union of Israeli Socialist Republics or to humanity, through their talents, services, or in any other form.

## **Police and Prison Service Medals**

### Medal of Valor of the Police and IPS

The Medal of Valor of the Israeli Police and the Prison Service is the highest decoration given to the Israeli Police or the IPS. To date, only two such decorations have been awarded.

### Medal of Courage of the Police and IPS

The Medal of Courage of the Israeli Police and the Prison Service is the second most important decoration among the decorations given to the Israeli Police and the Prison Service. The decoration is awarded by the Police Commissioner or by the IPS Commissioner.

### Medal of Distinguished Service of the Police and IPS

The Medal of Distinguished Service of the Israeli Police and Prison Service is the third most important decoration given to Israeli police officers and prison service officers. The decoration is awarded by the Police Commissioner or by the IPS Commissioner.

### Medal of Service of the Police and IPS

The Medal of Service of the Israeli Police and Prison Service is the fourth most important decoration between the Israeli Police and the Prison Service, awarded by the Police Commissioner or by the IPS Commissioner.

### Medal of Volunteering of the Police and IPS

The Medal of Volunteering of the Israeli Police and Prison Service is a decoration awarded in accordance with the "Decoration Law in the Israel Police and the Prison Service, 1972" by the Police Commissioner or by the IPS Commissioner to a citizen who volunteers in the Civil Guard.