Israel's medal of valor
Israel's medal of valor

Israeli military decorations are the decorations awarded to soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces who exhibit extraordinary bravery and courage. Its decorations consist of the Medal of Valor (the highest decoration in the IDF), the Medal of Courage, and the Medal of Distinguished Service. It also includes the Citations (Tzalash), which are awarded in four classes.

Two soldiers share the title of being the most decorated soldier of the IDF: Captain Nechemya Cohen (1943–1967), and General Ehud Barak (formerly Chief of Staff, later Prime Minister).[1]

Non-military decorations

Israel president
Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor
Righteous Among the Nations medal simplified.svg
Righteous Among the Nations

Decorations

Medal of Valor.svg
Medal of Valor (The highest decoration)
Medal of Courage.svg
Medal of Courage
Medal of Distinguished Service.svg
Medal of Distinguished Service
Hero Of Israel.svg
Hero of Israel Ribbon (1948) (obsolete)

Citations (Tzalash)

Citations are worn on the campaign ribbon when awarded in times of war.

Zrm.svg
Chief of Staff (Ramatkal) Citation
Zla.svg
Head of Regional Command (Aluf) Citation
Zma.svg
Divisional Commander Citation
Zmh.svg
Brigade Commander Citation

Campaign ribbons, medal and Badge

Palsar7.jpg

According to Israel Ministry of Defence, "'Campaign ribbons' are ribbons commemorating a person's participation in war, campaign and combat from the establishment of the State of Israel up to the present day. These ribbons are awarded by authorisation of government, the IDF decorations Act and regulations set up by the Minister of Defense."[2]

Independence war ribbon.svg
War of Independence Ribbon
Sinai war ribbon.svg
Sinai War Ribbon
Six day war ribbon.svg
Six-Day War Ribbon
Hatasharibon.svg
War of Attrition Ribbon
Yomkippurribon.svg
Yom Kippur War Ribbon
Lebanon war ribbon.svg
First Lebanon War Ribbon
Security Zone in Lebanon Campaign Ribbon. X (cropped).jpg
Security Zone in Lebanon Ribbon[3]
Lebanon2ribon.svg
Second Lebanon War Ribbon
Protective Edge Operation ribbon.svg
Protective Edge Ribbon
Defence of Jerusalem Badge.jpg
Defence of Jerusalem Badge[4]
Katamon Medal.gif
Qatamon Medal (1948) (obsolete)

Awards for military service

Israeli veteran.jpg

According to Israel Ministry of Defence, "'Awards for military contribution towards the establishment of the State of Israel' and decorations are awarded by authorisation of government and a ministerial committee for symbols and ceremonies, with the exception of the Nazi Fighter Ribbon which is awarded according to the 'Yad Vashem' regulation in the Remembrance and Holocaust Act, and in addition by the 'status of the Second World War II' Act of 2000."[5]

Hashomer Ribbon.svg
Hashomer Ribbon
Nili Ribbon.svg
Nili Ribbon
Ha-Hitnadvut.svg
The Volunteer Ribbon
Hagana Ribbon.svg
Haganah Ribbon
Mishmar Ribbon.svg
Mishmar Ribbon
Etzel Ribbon.svg
Etzel Ribbon
Fighters against Nazis Ribbon.svg
Fighters against Nazis Medal
Lehi Ribbon.svg
Lehi Ribbon

Other medals, awards and ribbons

Eliyahu Golomb Israel Security Award.JPG
Eliyahu Golomb Israel Security Award
(right side decoration
(highest possible award)
Mandate Prisoners Decoration
(right side decoration)
IDF Chief Of Staff Medal of Appreciation.png

Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation - ISRAEL.svg
IDF Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation
Service in Israel Medal.png
Service in Israel Medal
Decoration of State Warriors.jpg
Decoration of State Warriors
(ribbon device)

References

  1. ^ דרורי, עפר. "חיילי צה"ל המעוטרים ביותר". אתר הגבורה (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Campaign Ribbons, Awards for military contribution, Decorations". mod.gov.il. Retrieved 2018-10-28.
  3. ^ Ministers approve medal for troops who fought in southern Lebanon, Times of Israel, Mar 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "The Magen Yerushalaim Badge". Israeli Decorations.((cite web)): CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Awards for military". mod.gov.il. Retrieved 2018-10-28.