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.
 
Versions found of this medal:
    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

© 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 pour 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
 
 
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.

Visiting Israel for the fifth and final time as chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey met on Tuesday with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot at the Israel Defense Forces' headquarters in Tel Aviv. An IDF honor guard welcomed Dempsey, who was given a medal of appreciation by Eizenkot. Dempsey is set to retire in October.
 
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.
https://news.old.bestoneonline.co.il
 
 
 

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.

https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israeli-defense-officials-salute-top-US-Army-general-490207

 

 
 
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5367726,00.html
Eisenkot awards Medal of Appreciation to the Gaza Division
IDF chief presents the Gaza Division with a commendation for its contribution to the military and to Israel’s security during ongoing Gaza border riots
Itay Blumenthal Published: 10.10.18
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot awarded the Chief of Staff's Medal of Appreciation to the Gaza Division on Wednesday for its activities on the Gaza border and for "its contribution to the IDF and the security of the State of Israel."
 

 

 
 
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/258051
Chief of Staff grants US Central Command head IDF medal
Gen. Joseph Leonard Votel granted medal of appreciation for his work in furthering the partnership between the Israeli and US armies.
Arutz Sheva Staff, 23/01/19 19:37
 

 

Click here to see the award document
 
 
Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi awarding the medal to US Air Force Chief David L. Goldfein
November 2019
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-air-force-chief-visits-israel-lauds-military-partnership-with-jewish-state/
 
Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi awarding the medal to the Israel Missile Boats Flotilla (3rd Flotilla) in 2019.
 

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_Staff_Medal_of_Appreciation#/media/File:RmatcalAppreciation72019.jpg

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

 

 

 
  
Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi awarding the medal of appreciation to Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, commander of the German airforce
 
October 2021
The Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces and Lieutenant General, Aviv Kochavi, awarded Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, the first German citizen ever, to receive the “Chief of Staff 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.