Minister of Education Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) announced on Thursday the recipients of the 2016 Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievements.
Both Eli Mechina (pre-military) Academy founder Rabbi Eli Sadan and Major General (retired) Doron Almog were chosen for this year’s prize.
The two were nominated by the Israeli Prize committee and approved by Bennett.
Bennett praised the two winners, noting their decades of service to Israel and Zionism.
“Rabbi Eli Sadan is a Zionist revolutionary who launched one of the greatest revolutions in Israeli society,” said Bennett. “Thanks to him, thousands of young men and women were able to make meaningful contributions in the IDF.”
“Rabbi Sadan brought secular and religious Jews together, connecting Torah with the army and the state with Zionism and settlement. Rabbi Sadan’s life’s work of establishing both secular and religious army preparatory schools raised a generation of fearless fighters who love their heritage, and for that he deserves the Israel Prize not just for this year but for every year.”
Almog, gained fame for his role in the daring rescue mission at Entebbe in 1976, and later participated in Operation Moses, which brought thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. In 2003 he founded Aleh Negev, a rehabilitation village for disabled children and teenagers.
“Major General Doron Almog is an Israeli hero,” said Bennett. “He risked his life for the security of Israel and dedicated his life to Israeli society. He fights on behalf of the most vulnerable members of Israeli society, he fought bravely for his son, may his memory be for a blessing, and he fought fearlessly to free the hostages at Entebbe, and was a commander of some of the IDF’s most elite units.”
“Almog has dedicated his entire life to the State of Israel, and Israel has the privilege to honor him with this lifetime achievement award.”
