February 19, 2013

JERUSALEM (JTA) — President Obama will receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction from Israeli President Shimon Peres.

The award will be presented to Obama during a state dinner hosted by Peres in Jerusalem during Obama’s visit next month to Israel. It is the first time that a serving president of the United States of America will receive an award of this kind from the president of the State of Israel, according to Peres’ office.

“Barack Obama is a true friend of the State of Israel, and has been since the beginning of his public life. As President of the United States of America he has stood with Israel in times of crisis. During his time as president he has made a unique contribution to the security of the State of Israel, both through further strengthening the strategic cooperation between the countries and through the joint development of technology to defend against rockets and terrorism,” read the recommendation of the advisory committee for the Presidential Medal of Distinction, released by Peres’ office on Monday after the decision was announced.

The National Jewish Democratic Council praised Israel’s decision to present the prestigious award to Obama.

“The National Jewish Democratic Council could not be prouder that President Barack Obama will be receiving Israel’s Medal of Distinction during his upcoming visit to the Jewish state,” NJDC Chair Marc R. Stanley said in a statement. “This President has proven to be Israel’s most important advocate on the world stage — from defending Israel’s legitimacy and right to defend itself to providing the leadership to fund the Iron Dome defense system and rallying the global community against Iran’s nuclear weapons program. We are thrilled that Israeli President Shimon Peres has chosen to honor President Obama with this award.”