Döpfner, Adelson receive Israeli Medal of Honor

Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor to Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner and casino mogul and GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson on Wednesday.

Adelson and Döpfner, who oversees a media company that includes POLITICO, Business Insider and several European outlets, were among nine recipients awarded for their contributions to Israel and Jewish people around the world.

Herzog thanked the nine honorees for “choosing hope over despair” in pursuing their work since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas following the October 7th, 2023, terror attack.

“In these nine exemplary figures before us, we are reminded of the light within us, of the values that unite the people of Israel and all humanity, across every belief and way of life,” Herzog said.

Döpfner, who was honored for his work combatting antisemitism and support for Israel, said in a statement the honor is “the most meaningful, the most emotional award I have ever received in my life.”

“Our support for Israel and our fight against antisemitism is not something we would ever trade for anything. It’s a very fundamental principle, and also a very fundamental value for me personally — intrinsically important,” Döpfner said. “I think there are principles that are non-negotiable, and this is definitely the most non-negotiable principle we have.”

In accepting the prize, Adelson, the widow of the late Republican megadonor and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, reflected on her advocacy in the U.S. to help facilitate the release of hostages taken by Hamas. The last remaining living hostages were freed in a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas earlier this month.

“Alongside the deep grief for those we lost, there was immense relief and joy in watching them emerge, one by one, from the hell of the tunnels, returning to the paradise, imperfect though it may be, that we call the Land of Israel,” she said.

Other recipients included former Israeli Supreme Court Justice George Karra, tech entrepreneur Yossi Vardi, Druze religious leader Muwaffaq Tarif, author Galila Ron-Feder Amit, physician Avi Ohry, historian Dina Porat and Moti Malka, founder of the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra.