Former Foreign Minister David Levy and inspirational speaker Miriam Peretz, who lost two sons in battle, were named Thursday as this year's recipients of the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement.
The Israel Prize is the state's highest honor. It is presented annually on Independence Day in a state ceremony in Jerusalem attended by the president, prime minister, Knesset speaker and chief justice.
Levy, 80, was born in Rabat, Morocco, and immigrated to Israel in 1957. He was elected to the Knesset in 1969 and went on to serve as a lawmaker until 2006. Levy was one of the first Sephardi politicians to rise to a senior political position and his terms in different government saw him serve as immigrant absorption, housing and foreign minister, as well as deputy prime minister.
"David Levy's personal story is the story of a boy who immigrated to Israel from Morocco to a transit camp and then a development town in the periphery, and from there jumped to the heart of public and social activity within the melting pot of Israeli society," the Israel Prize committee wrote in its announcement.
It further praised him as "a social fighter for the weaker sectors of society, a leader of workers and a representative of the development towns and the periphery, pursuing these causes with absolute and rare resolve in the service of the people and the state.
"His unique character, adherence to principles and the fact he has become a social symbol are a source of inspiration and appreciation. His vision, courage, struggles and actions have made their mark on Israeli society," the committee wrote.
Levy was congratulated by lawmakers from across the political spectrum. President Reuven Rivlin called Levy a trailblazer, saying he paved the way for others by showing them that it was possible to break through from the periphery to the heart of Israeli society.
"Life did not coddle me," Levy told Israel Hayom Thursday. "One of the things I have fought for throughout all my years in politics is to raise awareness to social problems, which are our real problems as a state and a society.
"I'm grateful that I have been given the opportunity to contribute my share in these areas, but also to make way for the forces that rose from the periphery – people who believed in themselves and now everyone else believes in their potential. That is very important progress, but there is still much left to do," he said.
Two of Levy's children serve as lawmakers in the current Knesset: Jackie Levy of Likud, and former Yisrael Beytenu MK Orly Levy-Abekasis, who recently announced she plans to launch her own party.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett, whose ministry oversees the Israel Prize committee, personally arrived at Miriam Peretz's home on Thursday to tell her she is to be awarded the Israel Prize.
Peretz was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and came to Israel in 1964 at the age of 10. The mother of two fallen Golani Brigade soldiers – Uriel, killed in Lebanon in 1998 at the age of 22, and Eliraz, killed in the Gaza Strip in 2010 at age 31 – became an inspirational speaker and has devoted her life to educational activity with teenagers and soldiers.
Bennett posted a video of an emotional Peretz as he delivered the news that she was to be honored on Independence Day.
"I have just arrived at Miriam Peretz's home to personally tell her that she was awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement for strengthening the Jewish Israeli spirit," Bennett tweeted.
"Miriam did not choose the harsh circumstances of her life but chose to live and revive an entire people. She is the mother of all of us," he wrote.
The Israel Prize committee noted in its announcement that "Miriam Peretz has devoted her life to education and imparting Jewish and Zionist values to youth and soldiers, and even to communities around the world in order to light our way and strengthen our hands.
"Moreover, she helps bereaved families and injured IDF soldiers. Her work is a symbol of the framework of the Jewish and Israeli spirit and she is a symbol and a role model of giving to and helping others, and contributing to society and the community."
Speaking with Israel Hayom on Thursday, Peretz said, "Not a day goes by that I don't cry for my beloved sons, Uriel and Eliraz, whom I miss so much. But alongside the sadness, I'm also grateful that I live in Israel, where I can lead a life filled with love and joy. I'm grateful to be able to say that I'm a part of this wonderful people."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement praising Levy and Peretz.
"I would like to congratulate David Levy and Miriam Peretz on winning the Israel Prize which they so richly deserve in light of their achievements and their abiding commitment to our state," he said.
