Orders, decorations and medals of the State of Palestine are awarded according to a system established and implemented during the period 2009–2018 within the frame of the institutional and state-building process.
During this period, dozens of Heads of States and Governments, diplomats and international prominent figures have been granted these awards in recognition for their contribution in supporting the Palestinian cause and just peace in the region. Many other Palestinian personalities who contributed in raising the status of Palestine in various fields were also honored.
Historical overview
Decorations, medals and badges of Palestine were first awarded for both military and civilian service and contributions to the State of Palestine, in this order Article 117 in 2005.
In the beginning of 2009, and in the frame of institutional and state building process towards the establishing of an independent Palestinian State, President Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine and Grand Master of the Orders, Decorations and Medals, entrusted Minister Majdi Khaldi, the Diplomatic Advisor to the President and Conseillere of the Orders, Decorations and Medals of the State of Palestine to lead the efforts of establishing the Palestinian awarding system, and put into act as soon as possible.
The Palestinian awarding system was gradually established in three stages, and three Presidential decrees were issued in 2013, 2016 and 2018 following extensive consultations and efforts led by Minister Khaldi, and after reviewing the previous Palestinian awards, and the history of the international awarding systems.
Three relevant publications including the Orders, Decorations and Medals of the State of Palestine, the Palestinian State' symbols; the national anthem, the Palestinian flag and the emblem of Palestine, were issued and distributed to the Palestinian Embassies, governmental institutions, public libraries and accredited diplomatic corps in Palestine.
In the beginning of 2010, a number of senior awards were issued for Kings & Heads of States and Governments as they were the first aimed categories. In naming these awards, the names of Palestine, Jerusalem & Bethlehem were highlighted, which are: The Order of the Star of Palestine, the Order of Jerusalem, the Medal of the Star of Honor, and the Collar of Bethlehem. Many other Orders were issued for making diversity, and each level is to be awarded to different categories of Palestinian, Arab and international personalities.
The two most excellent Orders between 2009 and 2016 were the Star of Palestine (Grand Cordon), which was awarded to President Vladimir Putin, President Giorgio Napolitano, President François Hollande, President Jacob Zuma, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Grand Cordon of the Order of Jerusalem, which was awarded to the Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Sabah, King Abdullah II, and many other Heads of States and Governments from all over the world.
As of 2017, the newly established Grand Collar of the Order of the State of Palestine became the most excellent Order, and was awarded to King Salman, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President Xi Jinping, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Between 1995 and 2004 President Yasser Arafat awarded medals and medallions to a large number of foreign and Palestinian personalities. The Collar of Bethlehem 2000 was awarded to a number of Heads of States and Governments who visited Bethlehem during the year 2000 celebrations, and also awarded about 100 medals and medallions to Palestinian and foreign personalities.
It was also necessary to establish new awards for Palestinian figures and institutions from several fields: political, national, literary, artistic and scientific. Therefore, the Order of Merit and Distinction (Gold and Silver Levels) was established in 2010, and was later updated in 2016.President Abbas awards the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics the Gold Order of Merit and Distinction, retrieved 14 January 2019
The Order of Culture, Science and Arts was also issued and is intended to be awarded to Palestinian and foreign intellects, authors, writers, poets, scientists, researchers and artists in appreciation of their significant works which succeeded at the national level.
The Palestinian Honorary Citizenship was also issued to be granted to esteemed Arab and foreign figures that have a special and strong relationship with Palestine. Martial Awards and Medals of civil and military services were also issued.
In the beginning of 2013, after issuing the Resolution for upgrading Palestine's status to an Observer State in the United Nations, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree including all civil and martial awards, medals and medallions which were issued previously. A new decree was issued in 2016, including new modifications in the Palestinian awards system, and in 2018, President Abbas issued a third decree that included all the new modifications. Two new Orders were also established bearing the names of the two Palestinian leaders, President Yasser Arafat and President Mahmoud Abbas.
It is a custom to grant awards in a special celebration to be held in the Palestinian Presidency, whether by the presence of the President who will grant the award himself, or delegating a deputy in case of being absent, delegating a special envoy, or to entrust the Ambassadors of Palestine to carry out this task in case the ceremony occurs abroad.
Orders of the State of Palestine The Order of the State of Palestine Grand Collar Grand Cordon Star of Merit Star of Freedom Knight of Palestine
The Order of the State of Palestine can be awarded by the order of the President to Kings, Heads of States and Governments and those of similar standing. It can be awarded as well to prominent Palestinian and foreign personalities who have provided outstanding services to Palestine.Presidential Decree on Orders and Awards, http://muqtafi.birzeit.edu/pg/getleg.asp?id=16728, retrieved 15 January 2019President Abbas awards King Salman the Grand Collar of the Order of the State of Palestine, https://www.maannews.net/Content.aspx?id=818441, retrieved 21 January 2019President Abbas awards President Jinping the Grand Collar of the Order of the State of Palestine, http://www.wafa.ps/ar_page.aspx?id=NS3ggEa794689961175aNS3ggE, retrieved 21 January 2019 The Grand Cordon can be awarded by the order of the President to Kings, Heads of States and Governments and those of similar standing. It can be awarded as well to prominent Palestinian and foreign personalities who have provided outstanding services to Palestine.President Abbas awarding the Grand Cordon, http://www.wafa.ps/ar_page.aspx?id=65Y6nQa733433234589a65Y6nQ, 15 January 2019
The Star of Merit is a distinctive level that can be awarded by the order of the President, to Ministers, Ambassadors, Envoys, Governors, Members of Parliaments, Representative of Parties and those of similar standing.President Abbas awarding the Star of Merit, http://pbc.ps/News/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86, retrieved 15 January 2019President Abbas awarding the Star of Merit, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPhp6r2nL8c, retrieved 22 January 2019President Abbas awarding the Star of Merit, http://www.wafa.ps/ar_page.aspx?id=vwbgqca770942772072avwbgqc, retrieved 22 January 2019 The Star of Freedom is a special level in this Order that can be awarded by the order of the President to Palestinian and Foreign Activists who are working for peace. It can be awarded as well, to Members of Parliaments, Representative of parties who supports the freedom and independence of the State of Palestine. It also can be awarded to Palestinian and foreign institutions and officials, businessmen and representatives of civil society, in recognition for outstanding services to the State of Palestine.President Abbas awarding the Star of Freedom, https://www.s-palestine.net/ar/?Action=Details&ID=61807, retrieved 15 January 2019
The Knight of Palestine is a level in this Order that can be awarded by the order of the President to outstanding and extraordinary individuals in various fields. Those include civil servants, private sector and civil society activists, as well as Arab and foreign individuals of the same rank.President Abbas awarding the Knight of Palestine, https://www.alwatanvoice.com/arabic/news/2017/06/03/1056555.html, retrieved 15 January 2019
The Order of Jerusalem
The Grand Cordon is the first high level of this Order and can be awarded by the order of the President to Kings, Presidents, Heads of Governments and those of similar standing. It can be awarded, as well, to prominent Palestinian and foreign personalities who have provided outstanding services to Palestine.Presidential Decree on Orders and Awards, https://www.qanon.ps/news.php?action=view&id=20716 , retrieved 15 January 2019 The Grand Star is the second-highest level of this Order and can be awarded by the order of the President to Heads of Governments, Ministers, Envoys, Leaders of Parliaments and Parties, and those of similar standing. It can be awarded, as well, to prominent Palestinian and foreign personalities who have similar standing.President Abbas awarding the Grand Star of the Order of Jerusalem, http://www.alquds.com/articles/1539605470927710700/, retrieved 15 January 2019
Star of Jerusalem is a distinctive level in this Order and can be awarded by the order of the President, to Ministers, Ambassadors, Envoys, Governors, Members of Parliaments, Representative of Parties and those of similar standing. It can be awarded, as well, to prominent Palestinian, Arab and foreign personalities who have provided significant services to Palestine.President Abbas awarding the Star of Jerusalem, http://www.wafa.ps/ar_page.aspx?id=43Y3LTa827025769350a43Y3LT, retrieved 15 January 2019 The Star of Peace is a special level in this Order and can be by the order of the President to Palestinian and Foreign Activists who are working for peace. It can be awarded as well, to Members of Parliaments, Representative of parties who supports the freedom and independence of the State of Palestine. It also can be awarded to Palestinian and foreign institutions and officials, businessmen and representatives of civil society, in recognition for outstanding services to the State of Palestine.
The Knight of Jerusalem is a motivating and inspiring level in this Order and can be awarded by the order of the President to outstanding and extraordinary individuals in various fields. Those include civil servants, private sector and civil society activists, as well as Arab and foreign individuals of the same rank.President Abbas awarding the Knight of Jerusalem, http://www.maannews.net/Content.aspx?ID=863707, retrieved 15 January 2019
Order of President Yasser Arafat
The Grand Cordon (Star of Honor) is the highest level of this Order that can be awarded by the order of the President to Kings, Heads of States and Governments and those of similar standing, it can also be given to the Heads of the National Council and the Legislative Council and the Chairman and Members of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Chairman's and Secretaries General of the Palestinian factions and parties, and of similar standing. It can be awarded as well for Palestinian and Foreign dignitaries that provided of substantial and unprecedented contributions to the Palestinian people.