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Medal of Valor of the Israel Police

Hebrew name: Hebrew name: Itur Hagvura

The Medal of Valor is awarded for an act of supreme heroism in the line of duty, at the risk of life. This decoration can only be awarded by the Minister of Internal Security.

Design
The designer of the medal was Nathan Karp. The original medal is a silver disc of 39 mm diameter and weight 25 gr., showing a stylized candelabra with straight arms and the police emblem between two olive branches. The ribbon is red and blue. The medals were first minted by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, in 1974. Some of the medals bear silver marks 925.

Awards to civilians
The Medal of Valor, Medal of Courage and Medal of Distinguished Service may be awarded to civilians that do not belong to the police force, for acts performed by legal use of arrest authority, by fulfilling a legal duty, in assistance to police personnel performing a legal arrest, or during serious crimes or public disaster.

Medal versions found:

		Early version - minted by Kretschmer Medal: silver medal. Some of the medals bear silver marks 925. Probably most of them show a serial number (here covered). Clasp: Dimensions 45.2 x 14 mm. Silver mark 925 on the lower right corner. Ribbon width 40 mm.
		Modern version Medal: nickel Clasp: Dimensions 41.5 x 15 mm, chrome covered metal Ribbon width 40 mm.

At some stage, the design of the medal was changed, as can be seen in the picture below.
The police symbol was enlarged and the arms of the candelabra have a uniform depth.

Medal of Valor of the Israel Police - design changes

Left: the Original Design and Right: the Later design

Sample of used ribbon:

Medal of Valor of the Israel Police - ribbon