The Emil Grunzweig Human Rights Award is an award made annually by the

Association for Civil Rights in Israel The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) (; ) was created in 1972 as an independent, non-partisan not-for-profit organization with the mission of protecting human rights and civil rights in Israel and the territories under its control. ...

to "an individual or

NGO A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...

that has made a unique contribution to the advancement of

human rights Human rights are universally recognized Morality, moral principles or Social norm, norms that establish standards of human behavior and are often protected by both Municipal law, national and international laws. These rights are considered ...

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

". The award was established in 1981 but was renamed in 1983 after the murder of activist

Emil Grunzweig Emil Grunzweig (; December 1, 1947 – February 10, 1983) was an Israeli teacher and peace activist affiliated with the Peace Now movement. He became an icon of the Israeli left after he was killed by a grenade thrown at a peace rally in Jerusale ...

by a grenade thrown by a right-wing activist during a

Peace Now Peace Now ( ''Shalom Achshav'', ) is an Israeli liberal advocacy organization with the aim of promoting a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Early activism In an official document from 1982 Peace Now advocated for an und ...

demonstration against the war in Lebanon.

Winners of the award

Winners of the award have included: *1981 – , journalist for ''

Al Hamishmar ''Al HaMishmar'' (, ''On Guard'') was a daily newspaper published in Mandatory Palestine and Israel between 1943 and 1995. The paper was owned by, and affiliated with Hashomer Hatzair as well as the Hashomer Hatzair Workers Party of Palestine, ...

'' *1982 –

Yehuda Litani Judah or Yehuda is the name of a biblical patriarch, Judah (son of Jacob). It may also refer to: Historical ethnic, political and geographic terms * Tribe of Judah, one of the twelve Tribes of Israel; their allotment corresponds to Judah or Jud ...

, ''

Haaretz ''Haaretz'' (; originally ''Ḥadshot Haaretz'' – , , ) is an List of newspapers in Israel, Israeli newspaper. It was founded in 1918, making it the longest running newspaper currently in print in Israel. The paper is published in Hebrew lan ...

'' reporter in the

occupied territories Military occupation, also called belligerent occupation or simply occupation, is temporary hostile control exerted by a ruling power's military apparatus over a sovereign territory that is outside of the legal boundaries of that ruling powe ...

; special posthumous recognition to Robert Weltsch, a Jewish journalist in Germany *1983 – Lieutenant Colonel

Dov Yermiya Dov Yermiya (; October 24, 1914 – January 30, 2016) was an Israeli military officer and political activist who became notable for severely criticizing Israeli military actions. Early life Dov Yermiya was born on moshav Beit Gan, now a part of ...

, for his activities promoting the welfare of civilians in

Lebanon Lebanon, officially the Republic of Lebanon, is a country in the Levant region of West Asia. Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian Peninsula, it is bordered by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south ...

; this was the first year the award was named after Emil Grunzweig *1984 –

Moshe Negbi Moshe is the Hebrew version of the masculine given name Moses. Bearers include: * Moshe Arens (1925–2019), Israeli politician * Moshe Bar, several people * Moshe Bejski (1921–2007), Israeli judge * Moshe Brener (born 1971), Israeli basketball ...

, editor of the radio program "Din Udvarim" *1985 –

Baruch Meiri Baruch may refer to: People * Baruch (given name), a given name of Hebrew origin * Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677), Dutch philosopher *Baruch (surname) Other uses

* Book of Baruch, also called 1 Baruch, a deuterocanonical book of the Bible * ...

, journalist for ''

Maariv ''Maariv'' or ''Maʿariv'' (, ), also known as ''Arvit'', or ''Arbit'' (, ), is a Jewish prayer service held in the evening or at night. It consists primarily of the evening '' Shema'' and ''Amidah''. The service will often begin with two ...

'' *1986 – Prof.

Yitzhak Zamir Yitzhak Zamir (; born in Poland on April 15, 1931) is a professor of public law and Dean of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Faculty of Law, a former Attorney General of Israel, first Dean of the University of Haifa's Law Faculty, and a fo ...

, former legal advisor to the government *1987 – High court justice

Zvi Berenson Zvi Berenson (; February 26, 1907 – January 30, 2001) was an Israeli jurist who served as a judge on the Supreme Court of Israel. He was one of the writers of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. Early life Berenson was born in Safe ...

*1988 – Reporters in the occupied territories *1989 – Alice Shalvi, the founder of the

Israel Women's Network Israel Women's Network (IWN; , ) is a feminist non-partisan civil society organization founded in Jerusalem in 1984. IWN's mission is to advance the status of women in Israel by promoting equality through a range of projects and methods. Backgr ...

*1990 –

Yitzhak Kadman The Israel National Council for the Child () in Jerusalem, Israel, is an Israeli independent non-profit non-governmental organization that advocates for children's rights and well-being.

, head of the

Israel National Council for the Child The Israel National Council for the Child () in Jerusalem, Israel, is an Israeli independent non-profit non-governmental organization that advocates for children's rights and well-being.

*1991 – Dr. Lotte Salzberger, a founder of the HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual *1992 –

Bassem Eid Bassem Eid (; born 5 February 1958) is a Palestinian living in East Jerusalem who comments on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict for Israeli TV and radio. He has been invited to speak by many pro-Israeli organizations in North America, includi ...

, the founder of the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group; special award to Mr.

James Ya'acov Rosenthal James may refer to: People * James (given name) * James (surname) * James (musician), aka Faruq Mahfuz Anam James, (born 1964), Bollywood musician * James, brother of Jesus * King James (disambiguation), various kings named James * Prince James ...

, journalist, for his lifelong devotion to human rights *1993 –

Eyal Simchoni Eyal (; ''lit.'' strength) is a kibbutz in the Central District of Israel. Located close to the Green line, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Drom HaSharon Regional Council. In it had a population of . Geography Eyal is located in centr ...

, attorney *1994 –

Yitzhak Clinton Bailey Yitzhak( ()) is a male first name, and is Hebrew for Isaac. Yitzhak may refer to: People *Yitzhak ha-Sangari, rabbi who converted the Khazars to Judaism *Yitzhak Rabin (1922–1995), Israeli politician and Prime Minister *Yitzhak Shamir Yitz ...

, campaigner for

Bedouin The Bedouin, Beduin, or Bedu ( ; , singular ) are pastorally nomadic Arab tribes who have historically inhabited the desert regions in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the Levant, and Mesopotamia (Iraq). The Bedouin originated in the Sy ...

rights *1995 – "Women against Violence", a foundation for aid to women and girls victims of violence in the Arab sector *1996 –

Gideon Levy Gideon Levy (, ; born 2 June 1953) is an Israeli journalist and author. Levy writes opinion pieces and a weekly column for the newspaper ''Haaretz'' that often focus on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. Levy has won prizes ...

, ''Haaretz'' journalist *1997 – "Community Advocacy", a legal organisation that assists residents of impoverished neighborhoods in obtaining their rights; the Juarish family, for agreeing to donate the organs of their son, killed by

Israeli Defence Forces The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; , ), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym (), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and ...

fire, to recipients both Jewish and Arab *1998 –

Kav LaOved Kav La'Oved ( "Worker's Hotline") is an Israeli non-profit association, founded in 1991. Its objective is to protect the rights of disadvantaged workers. It provides information, advice, and legal representation for the most deprived workers in ...

(Workers' Hotline), for their activities promoting the rights of foreign workers; Aluf Hareven former intelligence officer, Foreign Ministry official and scholar, for his strengthening the relations between Jews and Arabs; special lifetime award to

Shulamit Aloni Shulamit Aloni (; 27 December 1927 – 24 January 2014) was an Israeli politician. She founded the Ratz (political party), Ratz party, was leader of the Meretz party, Leader of the Opposition (Israel), Leader of the Opposition from 1988 to 1990, ...

*1999 –

Physicians for Human Rights Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a US-based not-for-profit human rights NGO that uses medicine and science to document and advocate against mass atrocities and severe human rights violations around the world. PHR headquarters are in New Y ...

and its founder

Ruchama Marton Ruchama Marton (; born 1937) is an Israeli psychotherapist, psychiatrist, and feminist, and the founder of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel. Early life and work Ruchama Marton was born in Jerusalem, to Bilha and Aaron Smuelevitch who arrived fro ...

*2000 – ''Haaretz'' journalist Dr.

Yossi Algazi Yossi is a Hebrew given name, typically a short and affectionate nickname for Yosef (equivalent to English Joseph). It may refer to: People * Abba Yossi – mythology figure * Country Yossi – American singer and radio personality * Yossi Abu � ...

*2002 – The Hotline for migrant workers *2003 – the women of

Machsom Watch Machsom Watch, or Checkpoint Watch, is a human rights organization of Israeli women who monitor and document the conduct of soldiers and policemen at checkpoints in the West Bank.

, organization of Israeli women who monitor checkpoints *2004 – Hanna Safran, feminist *2006 –

Adva Center Adva Center is a non-partisan Israeli policy analysis center based in Tel Aviv. History Adva (lit. "ripple") was founded in 1991 by activists from three social movements: the movement for equality for Mizrahi Jews, the feminist movement, and the m ...

for analysis of Israeli policy *2007 –

Kolech Kolech (), also known as Kolech: Religious Women's Forum (), is an Israeli women's organization associated with Orthodox Judaism. The group's stance is aligned with Orthodox Jewish feminism and religious Zionism. Founding The group was esta ...

("Your Voice", fem.), the religious Zionist feminist movement *2008 – " Breaking the Silence"; The Refugee Rights Clinic at

Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv University (TAU) is a Public university, public research university in Tel Aviv, Israel. With over 30,000 students, it is the largest university in the country. Located in northwest Tel Aviv, the university is the center of teaching and ...

*2009 – Nir Katz of blessed memory; Ruth and

Paul Kedar Paul may refer to: People * Paul (given name), a given name, including a list of people * Paul (surname), a list of people * Paul the Apostle, an apostle who wrote many of the books of the New Testament * Ray Hildebrand, half of the singing duo ...

of the

Yesh Din Yesh Din (; transcribed into ), full name Yesh Din: Volunteers for Human Rights, is an Israeli organization working in Israel and in the West Bank. The organization was founded in 2005 by a group of women who previously worked with the organizat ...

organization for human rights *2010 - Former Judge Yehudit Tsur; Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality and

Oren Yiftachel Oren Yiftachel (; born 1956) is an Israeli professor of political geography, political and legal geography, urban studies and urban planning at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in Beersheba. He holds the Lynn and Lloyd Hurst Family Chair in Ur ...

*2011 –

Keren Neubach Keren Neubach (; born March 28, 1970) is an Israeli journalist, television presenter for the Israeli (government) Channel 1, and radio presenter for Reshet Bet. Biography Keren Neubach was born in kibbutz Erez, daughter of businessman Amnon Neuba ...

,Journalist;

Tamar Pelleg-Sryck Tamar Pelleg-Sryck (; 2 June 1926 – 11 March 2024) was an Israeli lawyer and human rights activist. After working as a teacher and organizer, she qualified as a lawyer at 61 and was best known for representing Palestinian detainees in court a ...

, attorney and human rights activist;

Koah LaOvdim Koah LaOvdim () is an Israeli labor union organization founded in 2007 (and registered in 2008) as an initiative by a group of social and labor activists to create a new, active and militant general labor union in Israel. The organization was establ ...

– Democratic Workers’ Organization *2012 – Attorney

Gaby Lasky Gabriela "Gaby" Lasky Schutz () is an Israeli politician, attorney, feminist, human rights activist, and social activist. From 2021 until 2022 she served as a member of the Knesset representing Meretz. She was a member of the Tel Aviv city counc ...

; Attorney

Michael Sfard Michael Sfard (; born 1972) is an Israeli lawyer and political activist specializing in international human rights law and the laws of war. He has served as counsel in various cases on these topics in Israel. Sfard has represented a variety of Is ...

Coalition Tag Meir
*2013 – Sari Bashi an
Gisha – The Legal Center for Freedom of Movement
'' *2014-2015 – '
The Association of Rape Crisis Centers (ARCCI)
Prof. Kenneth Mann and The Public Defender’s Office *2017 – The Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution; Vered Lee, journalist; Salah Haj Yahya, Mobile Clinic Director, Physicians for Human Rights - Israel *2018 –

Shula Keshet Shula Kehset (Hebrew: ; born on August 2, 1959) is an Israeli social and political activist and entrepreneur, Mizrahi feminist, artist, curator, writer, educator, and publisher; one of the founders and the executive director of the MIzrahi fem ...

, Artist, social and political activist and Mizrahi feminist; Odeh Bisharat, Author; '
Itach Ma’aki – Women Lawyers for Social Justice
'' *2019 – '
Salametcom Association
''; Attorney Eitay Mack *2022 – Jessica Nevo, Sociologist, Co-Founder of Justice in Case - The Center for Alternative Justice; , Professor of History and social activist; Kholod Massalha - General Manager
I’lam - Arab Center for Media Freedom, Development and Research

External links

* Full list of prizewinners from 1981 onward. Israeli human rights awards Awards established in 1981 Lists of Israeli award winners {{humanrights-stub