Prisoner of Zion and former agency chairman elected for his fight for human rights • "When anti-Semitism is on the rise, it is important to maintain the unity of the people"

The Genesis Prize Foundation announced that a former prisoner of Zion, former human rights activist and minister Nathan Sharansky, is a Genesis Prize laureate for 2020. Sharansky was chosen for his long-standing struggle for human rights, political freedom and his service to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

The award will be given to him at a festive ceremony to be held in the Nation's Buildings in Jerusalem on June 18. Sharansky is the first laureate living in Israel. Peres' selection committee chairman, and who replaced Sharansky as Jewish Agency chairman Isaac (Boji) Herzog, said: "As a symbol of the Jewish struggle for the right to freedom and freedom, Sharansky contributed greatly to the strengthening of the Jewish state, Jewish identity and Israeli connection. Diaspora Jewry. "

Retired Supreme Court Judge Tova Strasberg-Cohen, head of the Genesis Committee: "Nathan has dedicated his life to the Jewish person, the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and world repair."

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The Genesis Award annually awards the award, which is remarkable for ordinary people, whose values ​​they pursue, and their achievements, inspire the next generation of the Jewish people.

As his predecessors, Sharansky will dedicate the $ 1 million grant to the prize for strengthening Israel-Diaspora relations.

"This is a great honor for me," commented Sharansky excitedly. "I thank the Peres selection committees of my choice. Today, when anti-Semitism is on the rise, it is very important to maintain the unity of the Jewish people and the connection of Diaspora Jewry to Israel. We must unite and fight all anti-Semitism and the de-legitimization efforts of the State of Israel as one people."