Israel Prize

Grapevine, February 13, 2026: An anti-aggression alliance

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

Prof. Ofer Merin, IFCJ President Yael Eckstein, and Prof. Jonathan HaLevy.
US President Donald Trump gestures as he addresses House Republicans at their annual issues conference retreat, at the Kennedy Center, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors, in Washington, DC, US, January 6, 2026.

'Historic decision': Kisch invites Trump to attend Israel Prize ceremony on Independence Day

Conductor Zubin Mehta attends the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Duet Gala at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on November 10, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California; illustrative.

Zubin Mehta cancels all Israeli shows, cites Netanyahu's 'treatment of Palestinians'

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump to receive 2026 Israel Prize for 'special contribution towards the Jewish people'


Actor, director Oded Kotler to receive Israel Prize for theater, dance

"groundbreaking work and achievements in the Israeli theater, as an actor and as a director"

Acclaimed actor/director Oded Kotler will be one of seven to be awarded the EMET prize early next month

Avihu Medina to receive the Israel Prize for Hebrew Singing

Avihu Medina, a pillar of Mizrahi music , will receive the Israel prize at the upcoming ceremony on Israeli independence day

Avihu Medina

Professor wins Israel Prize for 'groundbreaking' electric cancer therapy

Palti, a physiology and biophysics professor at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, developed a "groundbreaking" electrodes-based treatment of a number of cancers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin and Education Minister Yoav Galant attend the Israel Prize ceremony in Jerusalem, prior to Israel's 73 Independence Day, on April 05, 2021.

A-G asks High Court to override Shasha-Biton, grant Israel Prize to math prof.

Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton decided to deny Prof. Oded Goldreich the Israel Prize because of allegations that he supports boycotts of Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin and Education Minister Yoav Galant attend the Israel Prize ceremony in Jerusalem, prior to Israel's 73 Independence Day, on April 05, 2021.

A Jerusalem plaza has been named for David Rakia. Who is he?

Rakia, who fled Nazi Austria and took Jerusalem into his heart, soul and art, now has his own spot in the city that meant so much to him.

 David Rakia Plaza

Grapevine: Perpetuating her name

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

ZAKA leader Rabbi Yehuda Meshi-Zahav and members of ZAKA, attend a simulation drill on June 21, 2011. Members of ZAKA, most of whom are Orthodox Jews, assist ambulance crews, aid in the identification of the victims of terror, road accidents and other disasters, and where necessary gather body parts

Not giving Goldreich the Israel Prize was correct - opinion

The government would have dishonored itself, and all of us, to have decided to award him the Israel Prize. 

 THEN-EDUCATION MINISTER Yoav Gallant addresses this past year’s Israel Prize ceremony in April, in Jerusalem.

Goldreich crossed a red line by calling for boycott - editorial

Freedom of academia and freedom of speech are two central cornerstones of any democracy. But calling for a boycott is another matter.

Yifat Shasha-Biton at Presidential Meeting

Math prof again denied Israel Prize over call for Ariel U boycott - Shasha-Biton

Weizmann Institute math and computer science professor Oded Goldreich again will not receive the Israel Prize this year due to his support of a boycott of Ariel University.

MK Yifat Shasha-Biton attends the Knesset House Committee, December 28, 2020

Legendary Israeli theater director, Nola Chilton dies at 99

Director Nola Chilton was a key figure in the worlds of both Israeli and international theater. She was awarded the Israel Prize for her achievements in 2013.

 NOLA CHILTON in the 2013 documentary about her, ‘The Prayer of Man’ by Uri Barabash.