Israel Prize to skip traditional categories this year, award civilian wartime efforts

In light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, this year the Israel Prize will be awarded only in two new categories created especially for the conflict: “Societal Responsibility,” for civil efforts and volunteering, and “Rescuing and Citizen Heroism,” for civilian acts of bravery in helping others during the crisis, the government says in a statement.

The prize will be awarded to six individuals whose actions “inspired enormous hope in Israel and contributed to recovering from the terrible breach that we experienced on October 7,” the statement says.

The traditional Israel Prize ceremony will still be held on Independence Day, which this year falls on May 13.

It is the first time since the Israel Prize was initiated in 1953 that the main categories will not be covered. The Israel Prize, considered the most prestigious civilian award in the country, is overseen by the Education Ministry, which says the regular categories covering science, arts, humanities and other achievements will return in 2025.

The Israel Prize is a civilian award and does not include heroic acts or achievements by Israelis while serving in the IDF.