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Israeli President grants medal to Axel Springer CEO Döpfner

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Israeli President awards medal to Axel Springer CEO, Döpfner
Israeli President awards medal to Axel Springer CEO, Döpfner

Israeli President grants medal to Axel Springer CEO Döpfner

Axel Springer CEO Honoured with Israel's Highest Civilian Award

Mathias Döpfner, the CEO of Axel Springer media house, has been awarded the prestigious honorary medal by the President of Israel, Izchak Herzog. This award is the highest civilian honour bestowed by the President of Israel.

Döpfner joins an esteemed group of recipients this year, including US-Israeli billionaire and philanthropist Miriam Adelson, historian Dina Porat, and Israeli high-tech pioneer Yossi Vardi. The award recognises Döpfner's solidarity with the Jewish people and his steadfast support of the State of Israel.

The award ceremony for Döpfner is scheduled for later this year, with no specific date announced yet. The event took place without any specific context provided.

President Herzog praised Döpfner's role in the long-standing fight against antisemitism. He stated that Döpfner acts out of a deep commitment to the values of freedom and democracy. Under Döpfner's leadership, Axel Springer has adopted clear principles of bond with Israel.

Since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, Döpfner has taken unprecedented public steps to show solidarity with Israel. He has become an international symbol of commitment, courage, and loyalty to his values during Israel's darkest hours.

The award was given to Döpfner in recognition of his role as one of the most prominent and courageous voices against antisemitism in Europe and worldwide. However, it's important to note that Döpfner has not publicly stated a specific political position regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, as documented in available sources. His political stance is generally considered as right-conservative, with affinities to conservative and right-populist positions in the German context, but without explicit statements about the aforementioned conflict.

In 2014, the then-Chancellor Angela Merkel received the honorary medal, making her the first German to receive the award. This prestigious recognition further underscores Döpfner's significant contribution to fostering understanding and solidarity between Germany and Israel.

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