Obama to Receive Israel’s Presidential Medal of Distinction

Obama visits Israel in March.

President Barack Obama will receive Israel’s Presidential Medal of Distinction when he visits the Jewish state next month, making him the first sitting U.S. president to receive the honor.

The office of Israeli president Shimon Peres announced the honor in a Monday afternoon statement. “Barack Obama is a true friend of the State of Israel, and has been since the beginning of his public life,” the statement reads. “As President of the United States of America, he has stood with Israel in times of crisis. During his time as president he has made a unique contribution to the security of the State of Israel, both through further strengthening the strategic cooperation between the countries and through the joint development of technology to defend against rockets and terrorism.” Specifically, the Obama administration has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for Israel’s Iron Dome air-defense system. National Memo