Lehavim Local Council Wins 2026 Defense Minister’s Shield Award for Reserve Soldiers Support

The Lehavim Local Council was honored on Tuesday as the sole municipality from the Negev region to receive the prestigious 2026 Defense Minister’s Shield Award. This accolade recognizes outstanding employers, organizations, academic institutions, and local authorities that provide exceptional support to reserve soldiers and their families. The award is among Israel’s highest honors for contributions to the reserve forces system.

This year, over 1,000 recommendations were submitted by reserve soldiers and their families. After a thorough selection process, 99 finalists were chosen, including 76 employers, 13 academic institutions, and 10 local authorities. Lehavim stood out as the only winner from the Negev.

Elad Erezi, head of the Lehavim Local Council, expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing that the award primarily belongs to the reserve soldiers and their families. He highlighted the council’s ongoing commitment to supporting reservists, noting an upcoming initiative to market housing lots exclusively to reserve soldiers. Erezi described the award as a significant honor and a source of great pride for the entire Lehavim community, reflecting their deep and continuous dedication to the reserve forces.