Chief Of Staff Medal of Appreciation

The Government of Israel instituted on April 26, 1981 a decoration called the Chief Of Staff Medal of Appreciation (Ot ha'araha), as "a symbolic expression of appreciation for acts of superior importance that contribute directly or indirectly to the strengthening of the IDF and that significantly benefit the security of Israel." The medal may be awarded to citizens of Israel as well as citizens of foreign states, including military personnel. If the nominee is no longer alive, the medal may be presented to his next of kin.

The decoration consists of a silver colored medal connected to a light blue and white ribbon, as the colors of the national flag. The decision to publish the presentation of the medal will take into account the circumstances and identity of the recipient.

Rules for wearing of this decoration
Recipients are entitled to wear the medal at all times. The decorations should be worn at the left chest side.

Privileges connected to the decoration
Recipients of the decoration, while in Israel during Independence Day are invited to the opening ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. If abroad, the recipients are invited to the receptions organized by the military attache or ambassador of Israel.

Pictures of award ceremonies

Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation in box

The high quality version as presented to foreign senior officers

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey receives a medal of appreciation from IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, June 9, 2015.

Major General Gadi Eisenkot presented Medal of Appreciation to General Claudio Graziano

July 2016 The Chief of the General Staff, Major General Gadi Eisenkot, presented the Medal of Appreciation to General Claudio Graziano in recognition of the steps he took to strengthen the relationship and strategic cooperation between the Israel Defense Forces and the Italian Army.

US Army General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Jerusalem, May 9, 2017, meeting with Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman.

The medal of appreciation was presented to General Dunford by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot.

Eisenkot awards Medal of Appreciation to the Gaza Division with a commendation for its contribution to the military and to Israel's security during ongoing Gaza border riots

The ribbon of the decoration connected as streamer to the unit standard

Gen. Joseph Leonard Votel receives medal of appreciation

Chief of Staff grants US Central Command Gen. Joseph Leonard Votel the medal of appreciation for his work in furthering the partnership between the Israeli and US armies.

Click here to see the award document

Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation is awarded

Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi awarding the medal to US Air Force Chief David L. Goldfein

Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi awarding medal to Israel Missile Boats Flotilla

Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi awarding the medal to the Israel Missile Boats Flotilla (3rd Flotilla) in 2019.

Chief of Staff grants 8200 Medal of Appreciation

Chief of Staff grants Intelligence Unit 8200 Medal of Appreciation, February 2021

The document of the award

presentation box of medal of appreciation

The presentation box of the decoration

The commander on the unit wearing the ribbon on his uniform

Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz with medal of Appreciation

The Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces and Lieutenant General, Aviv Kochavi, awarded Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, commander of the German airforce, the Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation, October 2021

Gen. Frank McKenzie with medal of Appreciation

Mar 3, 2022
IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Aviv Kohavi presented Gen. Frank McKenzie the medal for his commitment to expanding regional cooperation in recent years.

		The decoration as issued till about 2004 Medal reverse: screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a bar Ribbon: woven fibers Clasp: pin back with thanks to Igor Ostapenko
		A later version of the decoration Medal reverse: screw and nut holding the ribbon that is placed under a bar Ribbon: some kind of plastic material Clasp: pin back
		A year 2022 version of doubtful origin and poor quality Medal reverse: two rivets holding the ribbon, no bar. The hammering on the rivets is visible on the front of the medal. The medal was probably manufactured by first making a mold of an original medal. This explains the pitted surface of the medal. Clasp: clutch back