Journalist and author Douglas Murray has been honoured with an award by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli for his staunch support of the Jewish State since October 7.

The award, given to Murray in Jerusalem during a ceremony attended by prominent figures this week, was for being “a friend to the Jewish people and fighting the resurgence of antisemitism.”

Before presenting Murray with the award, President Herzog said: “For six months now, you have been right on the front line,

“You have brought your fine heart and mind and deep ethical intuition to fight for Israel in the battle for humanity’s conscience. You have been an eloquent, informed and compelling voice of moral clarity.
“You have raised it again and again in defence of the truth and values which protect the moral integrity and preserve the humanity of us all.”

President Herzog added: “The whole world should hear the words of Douglas Murray as he shows the stark difference between Israel and its jihadist enemies. We love and honour life.”

Since the latest conflict with Hamas began, Murray has travelled throughout Israel to engage with affected communities, written extensively about the conflict for publications around the world and appeared in numerous media interviews and podcasts in defence of Israel.

Chikli hailed Murray as a fearless truthteller “amidst a symphony of lies and who understands that the war we fight is not limited to the future of Israel. It is a war for the future of humanity,”

In his acceptance speech, Murray said he had drawn “enormous inspiration” from being in Israel in recent months and that he felt deep pride in standing with the country.

In response to the oft-quoted proclamation from jihadists that they love death more than we love life, Murray retorted: “There is no crime in loving life this much.

“We will not apologise for loving life; we will not apologise if you bring up your children to hate, that we bring up our children to love; we will not apologise if you indoctrinate your children into totally inconsequential and unproductive hatred if we bring them up to live productive and meaning-filled lives.”

He added, “The people who love death that much have no chance of winning against the people of life.”