Breaking Update
2026 Israel Prize Laureate in General History Is Prof. Billy Melman
Prof. Billy Melman awarded the 2026 Israel Prize in General History for groundbreaking contributions to social, cultural, and intellectual history.
Jerusalem, 19 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Education Minister Yoav Kish announced the israel prize laureate in the field of general history research is Prof. Billy Melman.
The award committee noted in its reasoning that the award is being presented to Prof. Billy Melman for her groundbreaking contribution to the study of social, cultural, and intellectual history in the modern period. The committee emphasized that Prof. Melman paved the way for research that reconstructs the voices of women and classes that have been suppressed and excluded from historiography, and is one of the pioneers of the history and historiography of gender in Israel.
It further noted that its studies reflect a multidimensional historical reflection on human experience, and make an outstanding contribution to the definition of modernity in the contexts of the formation of national identity and the relationship to the East. The Committee added that during a long career of excellence she had trained generations of female and male historians and had gained a reputation and leading influence at home and internationally.
The Israel Prize is the most important and prestigious award given in the State of Israel. The awards will be presented on the evening of Independence Day ־78 to the State of Israel.
