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'


Israel Prize-winning film director Judd Ne’eman is dead at 84

In 1989, he made what the few who have seen it consider to be a work of brilliance, and one which certainly turned out to be prophetic, Streets of Yesterday.

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High Court: Shasha-Biton must reconsider giving Israel Prize to prof.

The court found no evidence that Prof. Oded Goldreich supported the BDS movement, and that he publically declared his opposition.

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.

High Court lets Gallant deny Israel Prize to math professor

Critics of the decision called on the remaining Israel Prize winners to refuse to accept their prizes in solidarity with Prof. Goldreich.

Members of the "Im Tirzu" movement protest outside a court hearing on petitions against the Jewish Nation-State Law, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on December 22, 2020

Gallant finalizes decision to revoke Israel Prize from math professor

"His letter expresses his McCarthyist approach and by doing so, solidifies his anti-democratic legacy," Prof. Goldreich's attorney said in response to the decision.

EDUCATION MINISTER Yoav Gallant visits Tel Aviv in November.

Shasha-Biton to not reverse Israel Prize veto on professor

Shasha-Biton's predecessor, MK Yoav Gallant, vetoed the awarding of the coveted Israel Prize to Prof. Goldreich due to his support of the BDS movement.

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

The Israel Prize is a privilege, not a right - opinion

Only Ivory Tower denizens could be so obtuse as to buy the lie, and perverse enough to peddle it.

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.

WATCH: Israel Prize Ceremony commences on Independence Day

This is the first year, the hosts noted, where the prize is equally given to men and women: four to men, four to women, adding up to the final eight.

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.

Israel Prize winner Prof. Yair Zakovitch: Bible values remain relevant

‘Someone who wants to think needs to know how to read, and the best training for this is reading the Tanach’

PROF. YAIR ZAKOVITCH, new winner of the Israel Prize in Bible Studies.

ZAKA head forfeits position following sexual assault allegations

The Lahav 433 police unit also announced Saturday that it will open an investigation into the sexual assault allegations on Meshi-Zahav.

Yehuda Meshi Zahav, founder of ZAKA

Israel Prize pummeled by literary studies scandal

"Prof. Nitza Ben Dov is a diligent and multifaceted researcher, but she does not stand for the excellence... the award demands," Prof. Yaffa Berlowtiz, one of the judges, said.

Prof. Nitza Ben Dov