After more than two years of a multifront war, Israel’s Defense Ministry held a “Defense Minister’s Shield” ceremony on Monday evening, honoring 20 local authorities, companies and academic institutions for sustained support of Israeli Defense Forces reservists and their families.
The ceremony was led by Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who praised the awardees for strengthening Israel’s reserve system—described as a central pillar of national resilience and the IDF’s ability to confront ongoing security challenges.
The award recipients were selected by a professional committee chaired by Eyal Hans, head of the Discharged and Reserve Soldiers Division, with representatives from the Defense Ministry, IDF, local government, business sector, Council for Higher Education, Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Histadrut and other bodies.
Local authorities and regional councils
Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Bialik, Ness Ziona, Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, Menashe Regional Council and Gush Etzion Regional Council received awards.
The awards were presented in the presence of Haim Bibas, chairman of the Local Government Center and mayor of Modiin-Maccabim-Reut.
Companies and academic institutions
Sheba Hospital, ICL, Adalia, Allen Industries, Boston Scientific, Pioneer, Tidhar Group, Meitar Law Firm, Vision.bi and LiveU received honors. The ceremony was attended by Dubi Amitai, chairman of the Presidium of the Israeli Business Sector
Awards were presented to Bar-Ilan University, the Technion, Afeka College and Be’er Sheva College of Technology in the presence of Maya Lugasi Ben Hamo, director-general of the Council for Higher Education.
Katz said the awardees exemplify “mutual responsibility,” calling their support for reservists an essential component of Israel’s ability to maintain a strong and functioning reserve force amid constant threats, led primarily by Iran and its proxies.
“On behalf of hundreds of thousands of reservists—thank you,” Katz said. “You are the vanguard of the State of Israel.”
Zamir emphasized that Israel’s security depends not only on military strength but also on caring for soldiers’ human needs during and after service. He stressed the importance of continued support as reservists return to family life, work and studies, and pledged ongoing efforts to ease their burden, subject to security conditions.
“Thanks to the partnership between the front and the home front, we will continue to fight together, out of responsibility, commitment and mutual solidarity,” Zamir said.
