The US Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to President Peres

In 2012, US President Barack Obama awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom to President Shimon Peres in a moving ceremony at the White House, which received extensive coverage in the Israeli, American, and international media. The Medal of Freedom is one of the two highest honors that an American President can award. It is bestowed to a select group of leaders who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Together with the White House staff, Ayelet Frish was responsible for managing the media delegations and coverage of the historic ceremony, which was attended by around 140 guests of honor from the US and Israeli governments. This included former US presidents, secretaries of state, heads of government and ministers, leading Members of Congress and prominent senators, senior diplomats, and renowned figures from the fields of art, culture, and economics in the US and Israel.

The ceremony was reported on major channels and platforms around the world and received extensive positive coverage in the international media. This contributed to the strengthening of the relationship between the countries and the positioning of President Shimon Peres as an international leader.