The Jerusalem-based Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem on Sunday honored Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano with the 2021 Begin Award for Israeli leadership, citing her outstanding leadership and activity for the State of Israel and for all sectors of Israeli society.
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"For me, to stand here in this moment and receive the Begin Award for Israeli leadership, as a granddaughter and descendent of the spiritual leaders, the Kessim of the Beta Israel community, is a huge honor," the minister said.
"Begin's historic legacy was the way he connected between the different parts of Israeli society and the Jewish nation, and this is also my mission as a public representative; to act for unity in the nation, to continue promoting Aliyah and optimal integration, to fight against racism, for the disadvantaged communities, and to bring them to the front of the decision-makers table."
Herzl Makov, CEO of the Begin Heritage Center, said, "The Begin Award for leadership was awarded for the first time this year to Minister Tamano Shata for her public activity for social justice, equality and the struggle against discrimination. Minister Pnina Tamano Shata made history as the first minister from the Ethiopian community and before that as the first woman of Ethiopian descent that was elected to the Knesset. The significance of her being the first and paving the way makes her a symbol and a model for leadership specifically for the Ethiopian community, as well as the broader Israeli society."
