President Shimon Peres was scheduled to present the Wolf Prizes at the Knesset on Sunday, but following surgery on his return to Israel on Friday, it is unlikely that he will be considered sufficiently fit to attend the event.
It is a tradition for the President of the State to present the Wolf Prize laureates with their awards.
During his state visit to Canada last week, Peres complained of stomach pains and was diagnosed with a hernia. Peres was treated by his personal physicians Prof. Rafi Walden who also happens to be his son-in-law, and because his condition was not considered to be sufficiently serious to warrant cutting short his schedule, he continued with all the events on his itinerary as if nothing were amiss.
On his return to Israel, Peres underwent a successful operation at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.
Peres is expected to be released from hospital some time on Sunday.
Although Peres is a quick healer who in the past has stayed away from his duties for only a day or two in deference to his health, it is unlikely that he will attend the Wolf Prize ceremony on Sunday evening.
According to law, when the president is out of the country or in any way incapacitated, the Knesset speaker takes over the presidential duties.
Next to the Israel Prize, which with extremely rare exceptions is awarded only to Israelis, the Wolf Prize is Israel\’s highest form of recognition – albeit not monetarily. From a monetary perspective the Dan David Prize of $1 million is worth considerably more than the $100,000 given to Wolf Prize recipients and like the Wolf Prize is awarded to both Israelis and non-Israelis.
Inaugurated in 1978, the Wolf Prize is awarded annually by the Wolf Foundation that was established in 1975 by Dr. Ricardo Wolf, a German-born inventor and a former ambassador of Cuba to Israel. It is awarded in the categories of Agriculture , Chemistry, Mathematics, Medicine and Physics to outstanding scientists “for their unique contribution in the interest of mankind and brotherhood among nations, irrespective of nationality, race, color, religion, sex, or political views.”
There is also an arts prize that rotates between the fields of architecture, music, painting and sculpture. This year\’s arts prize is in the sphere of music, and although the winners, internationally acclaimed tenor Placido Domingo (whose career started in Israel) and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Sir Simon Rattle, will have their names announced they will not receive their awards till next year. More than a third of the recipients of Wolf Prizes have subsequently been awarded Nobel Prizes. The Wolf Prizes bring great honor to the State of Israel said Education Minister Gideon Saar, who will be among the dignitaries sharing the dais with Peres.
This year\’s laureates are: Professor Jacob D. Bekenstein, Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Physics; Ronald M. Evans, Gene Expression Laboratory, the Salk Institute, La Jolla, Calidfornia, Medicine: Professor Paul Alivisatos, University of California at Berkeley, and Prof. Charles M. Lieber, Harvard University, Chemistry; Professor Michael Aschbacher, California Institute of Technology and Luis Cafferelli, University of Texas, Mathematics.
371