Israel Prize Nominations Open: Rules, Categories, and Past Controversies

The Ministry of Education has announced the launch of the nomination process for the prestigious Israel Prize, offering a financial award of 75,000 shekels across various categories. However, a strict regulation applies: candidates cannot nominate themselves.

Nomination Rules and Eligibility

The annual award honors outstanding achievements in fields such as Jewish studies, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, exact sciences, as well as lifetime achievement and special contributions to society. While academic degrees are not strictly required for certain categories, nominees must be Israeli citizens or permanent residents who have never received the prize before. Any citizen can submit a recommendation for someone else, but self-nominations are strictly prohibited.

"No person shall nominate themselves for the prize," the official regulations state, allowing family members, neighbors, or acquaintances to put forward candidates.

Political Controversies and History

In recent years, the Israel Prize has frequently found itself at the center of political tensions. Former Minister of Education Yoav Gallant previously attempted to cancel the award for Professor Oded Goldreich, a decision ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court. More recently, Minister of Education Yoav Kisch faced heavy public criticism and legal challenges after attempting to freeze traditional categories, a move critics linked to businessman Eyal Waldman, whose daughter Daniella was tragically murdered in the October 7 massacre.