Tel Aviv University Honors US Envoy Steve Witkoff and Hostage Advocate Einav Zangauker at Ceremony

Tel Aviv University honored U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with the George S. Wise Medal and awarded hostage advocate Einav Zangauker an honorary doctorate at its 2026 ceremony. Other honorees included philanthropists, scientists, and cultural figures, recognizing contributions to diplomacy, advocacy, science, and the arts.

Tel Aviv University held its annual Honorary Degrees Ceremony at Smolarz Auditorium, honoring U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with the George S. Wise Medal and awarding honorary doctorates to several prominent figures. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and returned in October 2025, received an honorary doctorate for her grassroots advocacy for hostage families. Witkoff was recognized for his diplomatic efforts to secure the hostages' release and his commitment to conflict resolution. Other honorees included philanthropists Jon and Mindy Gray, scientists Prof. Michal Lipson and Prof. Joanna Aizenberg, singer Enrico Macias, poet Rachel Shapira, and educator Nina Avidar Weiner. The ceremony highlighted contributions to science, culture, education, and philanthropy, with the Grays having endowed the university's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences through the largest gift in its history. The article is presented in collaboration with Tel Aviv University.