The Israel Defense Prize, in honor of Eliyahu Golomb, is a prize awarded annually to people and organizations who made significant contributions to the defense of the State of Israel.
The prize was first awarded in 1958 and it is awarded each year by the President of Israel in proximity to the Israeli Day of Independence. It is usually given for exceptional technological breakthroughs, alongside an annual award for lifetime achievements. Until 2003 there have been 730 recipients.
The recipients are chosen by the Minister of Defense on the basis of recommendations given by an external committee appointed by the Minister. In 2008 the award was for the sum of 36,000 NIS.
Recipients of the Israel Defense Prize usually remain in confidentiality for various periods of time. Some of the past recipients include Israel Tal, Moshe Arens, Uzi Gal and various teams of the Intelligence corps, the Mossad, the General Security Service and weapon industries.
Famous quotes containing the words israel, defense and/or prize:
“...that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.”
—Bible: Hebrew, 2 Kings 5:8.
Elijah to the king of Israel who has received a letter from the king of Syria looking for someone to cure his commander of leprosy.
“The sick man is taken away by the institution that takes charge not of the individual, but of his illness, an isolated object transformed or eliminated by technicians devoted to the defense of health the way others are attached to the defense of law and order or tidiness.”
—Michel de Certeau (1925–1986)
“Knowing I loved my books, he furnished me
From mine own library with volumes that
I prize above my dukedom.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)