Decree No. 4 of 2013 Concerning the Civilian and Military Decorations, Orders and Medals of the State of Palestine

Decree No. 4 of 2013 Concerning the Civilian and Military Decorations, Orders and Medals of the State of Palestine

The President of the State of Palestine

The Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation

In reference of the provisions of the Amended Basic Law of 2003 and its Amendments,

Having reviewed the Bylaw of the Palestine Liberation Organisation,

Further to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution, dated November 29^th, 2012, on upgrading Palestine’s status at the United Nations to that of a non-member observer state,

Based upon the powers bestowed upon me, and

In accomplishment of the public interest,

I hereby promulgate the following Decree:

Article 1

The civilian and military decorations, orders and medals described below shall be approved as the decorations of the State of Palestine, as follows:

I. Civilian high-rank orders of the State: The Order of the State of Palestine, Order of Jerusalem, Collar of Bethlehem, and Order of the Star of Honour.

These shall be awarded to Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers and those of similar standing, as well as to the prominent Palestinian personalities, who have provided significant services to the homeland and highly enhanced the profile of Palestine around the world.

II. Civilian middle-rank orders: The Order of Star of Jerusalem, Gold Order of Merit and Distinction, and Silver Order of Merit and Distinction.

These shall be awarded to Ministers, Ambassadors, members to the houses of representatives and senate, representatives of parties and Palestinian, Arab and foreign personalities, and those of similar ranking, as well as to the prominent Palestinian personalities who have provided significant services to the homeland.

III. Civilian orders and medals: The Medal of Honorary Palestinian Citizenship, Gold Medal of Merit and Distinction, Silver Medal of Merit and Distinction, and Order of Jerusalem.

The Medal of Honorary Palestinian Citizenship shall be awarded to the Arab and foreign personalities who have provided significant services to Palestine. The other two medals and the Order of Jerusalem shall be awarded to the personalities and individuals of the Palestinian people, who have done services to the homeland. They may be awarded to Arab and foreign personalities.

IV. Military middle-rank orders: The Order of the Military Star of Palestine, Order of the Military Star of Jerusalem, and Order of the Military Star of Honour.

These shall be awarded to the Palestinian, Arab and foreign military and security Leaders, who have done services to Palestine.

V. Military orders, medals and decorations: The Medal of Distinguished Service (Three Ranks), Medal of War Injuries (Three Ranks), Medal of Special Promotions (Three Ranks), Medal of Duty (Three Ranks), Medal of Sacrifice (Three Ranks), and Medal of Military Training (Three Ranks).

These shall be awarded to military personnel and civilians of the staffs and troops of the Palestinian security services who have provided services to the homeland. They can also be awarded to civilians who have played major roles in supporting the Palestinian security forces in performing the duty thereof.

Article 2

The President of the State of Palestine shall be entitled to adopt and add any new civilian or military decorations, orders or medals.

Article 3

All promulgated presidential decisions and decrees, in accordance with which Palestinian civilian and military decorations, orders or medals were awarded prior to the promulgation of this Decree shall be deemed as if they had been awarded in pursuance of its provisions.

Article 4

The awarding of decorations, medals and orders and the permission to accept the awarding of Arab and foreign decorations shall be [based] upon a decision from the President of the State of Palestine.

Article 5

All that is associated with the provisions, criteria and mechanisms for nominating and awarding Palestinian civilian and military decorations, orders or medals to national, Arab and foreign personalities and institutions, as well as precedence and privileges, shall be regulated in accordance with a regulation to be promulgated by the President of the State of Palestine.

Article 6

All provisions that contradict the provisions of this Decree shall be repealed.

Article 7

All the competent authorities, each one within its sphere of jurisdiction, shall implement the provisions of this Decree, which shall enter into force as of the date of its promulgation and shall be published in the Official Gazette.

Issued in the city of Ramallah on January 6^th, 2013 Anno Domini,

Corresponding to Safar 24^th, 1434 Anno Hegira.

Mahmoud Abbas

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation