Shimon Peres to give out new Presidential Medal

President Shimon Peres will announce on Thursday the winners of the first Presidential Medal, his office announced.

At a special press conference at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Peres, along with former president Yitzhak Navon and former Supreme Court president Meir Shamgar, will reveal the names of the recipients of the newly instituted honor.

President Shimon Peres (photo credit: courtesy President's Residence)

The Presidential Medal is awarded to individuals and organizations that “contributed in unique and outstanding ways to Israeli society and the state’s image in the world and are role models for initiative, innovation, creativity and vision,” according to Peres’ office.

The Presidential Medal is meant to be a decoration similar to the French Légion d’honneur, or Legion of Honor, the country’s highest national decoration, officials said. Established after the French Revolution, the Legion of Honor is bestowed upon citizens with “outstanding merits.”