Israeli military decorations

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The Israeli military decorations are the decorations awarded to soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces who exhibit extraordinary bravery and courage.

Israel Defense Forces combined military forces of Israel

The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel. The IDF is headed by its Chief of General Staff, the Ramatkal, subordinate to the Defense Minister of Israel; Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot has served as Chief of Staff since 2015.

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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.

Medal of Valor (Israel) military decoration

The Medal of Valor is the highest Israeli military decoration.

Medal of Courage

The Medal of Courage is an Israeli military decoration. The medal is awarded for carrying out acts of gallantry at the risk of life, during combat duty. The medal was established in 1970 by act of law in the Knesset.

Medal of Distinguished Service

The Medal of Distinguished Service is an Israeli military decoration. The Medal of Distinguished Service is the third most important medal given by the IDF Chief of General Staff following an act that is done with courage and worthy of exemplary service.

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]

Nechemya Cohen Highly decorated Israeli soldier

Nechemiah Cohen is the most decorated soldier in the history of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He shares this honour with close friend and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Major Amitai Hason. He received five decorations – one Medal of Distinguished Service and four Chief Of Staff Citations. Cohen was killed in combat near the City of Gaza on June 5, 1967, the first day of the Six-Day War, aged 24.

Ehud Barak Israeli politician and prime minister

Ehud Barak is an Israeli general and politician who served as the tenth Prime Minister from 1999 to 2001. He was leader of the Labor Party until January 2011. He previously held the posts of Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister under Ehud Olmert and then in Benjamin Netanyahu's second government from 2007 to 2013, as he retired from politics at the end of the tenure.

Prime Minister of Israel Head of government of Israel

The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of government and chief executive of Israel.

Decorations

Hero Of Israel.svg Hero of Israel Ribbon (1948) (obsolete)
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

Citations (Tzalash)

Citation is 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 and medal

Palsar7.jpg

According to [Israel] Ministry of Defence, ""Campaign ribbons" are ribbons commemorating a person's participation in war, campaign and combat up to 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]

Katamon Medal.gif Qatamon Medal (1948) (obsolete)
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
Lebanon2ribon.svg Second Lebanon War Ribbon
Protective Edge Opertion ribon shadow.svg Protective Edge Ribbon

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." [3]

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)
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)

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References

  1. דרורי, עפר. "חיילי צה"ל המעוטרים ביותר". אתר הגבורה (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  2. "http://www.mod.gov.il/English/Campaign%20Ribbons/Pages/default.aspx". mod.gov.il. Retrieved 2018-10-28.External link in |title= (help)
  3. "http://www.mod.gov.il/English/Campaign%20Ribbons/Pages/-Awards-for-military-.aspx". mod.gov.il. Retrieved 2018-10-28.External link in |title= (help)