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'


Grapevine April 3, 2024: Israeli dramas

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

The Scojen Synthetic Biology Institute will be located in the new Drahi Innovation Building in Reichman University.

Grapevine: On parade

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 THE PURIM ‘Adloyada’ parade takes place in Jerusalem on Monday. Purim represents the first step in our redemption; Passover propels us ever closer to the never-fully-reachable finish line, says the writer.

Israel Prize winners announced, among them Netanyahu critic Eyal Waldman

After this year's prize ceremony being roiled in controversy, Education Minister Yoav Kisch announces the full list of winners of Israel's most prestigious prize.

 Education Minister Yoav Kisch speaks at a conference of the Israeli newspaper "Makor Rishon", in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, March 19, 2024.

Hebrew U legal expert to receive Israel Prize for work with October 7 victims

Israel's top prize for social advocacy and solidarity awarded to Hebrew U expert who advocated on behalf of October 7 victims and against antisemitism.

 The Israel Prize ceremony in Jerusalem, on Israel's Independence Day, on April 26, 2023.

Education Minister Kisch backs down, to award Israel Prize this year

"I chose to change the initial decision and award the Israel prizes in the various categories, alongside the prize in the Revival category," the education minister stated on Wednesday. 

 Education Minister Yoav Kisch seen at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on March 15, 2023

High Court tells gov't to provide justifications to cancel Israel Prize

In a recent development in the controversy over this year's Israel Prize cancelation, the High Court issued a conditional order to Education Minister Kisch.

 Education Minister Yoav Kisch attends a discussion on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 12, 2024.

Cancelling Israel Prize categories was a tone-deaf decision - editorial

This year is unlike any before; the prizes should reflect that, reasoned Kisch last week. On the surface, this is a legitimate enough reasoning, but it is weak and senseless.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israel Prize ceremony in Jerusalem, on Israel's Independence Day, on April 26, 2023.

Grapevine, March 6, 2024: Arrivederci Roma

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG smiles as he peruses Moshe Mizrahi’s memoir.

Eyal Waldman: Netanyahu confidant Shlomi Fogel prevented me from receiving the Israel Prize

Waldman claimed that Fogel exerted heavy pressure on the members of the committee to recommend another candidate "from the right sector."

 Eyal Waldman

Israel Prize restructured to avoid honoring Netanyahu critic - report

Eyal Waldman, an Israeli tech giant, called on the Prime Minister to resign after his daughter was murdered at the Nova music festival in Re'im on October 7.

 Education Minister Yoav Kisch seen at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on March 15, 2023