President Shim'on Peres is scheduled to present conductor Zubin Mehta of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra with the Presidential Medal on Monday for his unique contribution to the country's cultural life. A statement from Peres's office said, "Zubin Mehta is an Indian-born conductor and musician of international renown, a willing ambassador of the state of Israel, who has a life position as musical director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mehta, a Zoroastrian, made headlines in 1991, when he made a special trip to Israel from a foreign engagement to conduct the orchestra during the Gulf War, when Israel was being attacked by missiles from Iraq.