Moskowitz Prize for Zionism
Moskowitz Prize for ZionismArutz Sheva staff

As hundreds gathered at the scenic Emek Tzurim National Park in Jerusalem to celebrate the accomplishments of a number of hand-picked individuals who have succeeded in enacting a uniquely Zionist agenda within Israeli society, one of the buses taking participants to the site was caught unaware by violent Arab protesters.

In the middle of the At-Tur neighborhood of Jerusalem, Arab instigators threw rocks at the passenger bus en route to the ceremony of the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism. The incident passed without any serious damage or injuries.

“Forty-six years after the liberation of Jerusalem from Jordanian occupiers, Jerusalem is not yet under full Israeli sovereignty,” asserted project manager at the Institute for Zionist Strategies, Adi Arbel, who was on the scene at the time of the riots.

Established by Dr. Irving and Cherna Moskowitz, the Moskowitz Prize was established “as an expression of support for people who put Zionism into action in today’s Israeli society, acting for the benefit of the common good in order to ensure the strength and resilience of the national Jewish homeland,” according to its website.

Recipients of the 2013 “Spirit of Zion” category of the Moskowitz Prize included Amotz Eyal, founder of the Tazpit news agency, which, since its founding in 2010, remains dedicated to monitoring and reporting events in Israel and disseminating accurate, current and unbiased information to the press, notably in Judea and Samaria (Yehuda and Shomron), where such information is all too often overlooked, tainted or ignored.

Also awarded the “Spirit of Zion” prize was Michal Barkai, founder of the pre-military academy unit to foster female leadership in the Israel Defense Forces—an initiative that was previously lacking in Israeli society.

Both recipients epitomize the essence of the prize, which, according to its website, “is an award for new initiatives, young Israelis with vision who recognize the need to stand up and be counted. These are people who dream, our next generation of dedicated, creative citizens who have what it takes to make a difference for the Zionist dream to continue as a vibrant reality today.”

Awarded in the “Lion of Zion” category included, Yigal Cohen-Orgad, chancellor of Ariel University; Rabbi Moshe Levinger of Gush Emunim; and Dr. Zvi Zameret, leader in Zionist education.

“Lion of Zion” recipients include "Israeli men and women acting from a feeling of personal responsibility, vision and national mission, each in his field, and often while sacrificing their personal welfare and even endangering their personal security,” notes the prize’s website.

During the ceremony, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon invigorated the audience, vowing that the state of Israel will not institute a construction freeze in Judea and Samaria.

“There will be no building freeze,” Danon affirmed. “We have proven in the past that stopping building does not result in peace and we will continue to build.”

Other notable personalities in attendance included: Cherna Moskowitz, founder of the prize; Avigdor Kahalani, former decorated Israeli soldier and politician; Yoaz Handel, Israeli journalist and head of the Institute of Zionist Strategy, Shaul Goldstein, former mayor of the Gush Etzion Regional Council; and Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, head of the Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center.

“It is due to people like the Moskowitz family and the individuals who won the awards that there is no doubt in my mind that Zionism will triumph… When Arabs in Jerusalem throw rocks, Jews use them and build,” Arbel told Arutz Sheva, reflecting on the day’s events.