Decree No. 3 of 2018 Concerning the Civilian and Military Decorations, Orders and Medals of the State of Palestine

Decree No. 3 of 2018

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 Bylaw of the Palestine Liberation Organisation,

The provisions of the Amended Basic Law of 2003, as amended,

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,

Having reviewed the Presidential Decree No. 11 of 2016 Concerning the Civilian and Military Decorations, Orders and Medals of the State of Palestine,

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 of the State of Palestine shall be adopted as follows:

I. Order of the State of Palestine:

Consists of five ranks, divided into two levels, in the following sequence:

1. Highest rank:

• The Grand Collar.
• The Grand Cordon – The Start of Palestine

Awarded to Kings, Heads of States and Governments and those of similar standing.

2. Three ranks, as follows:

• The Star of Merit: Awarded to Palestinians and foreign Ministers, Ambassadors, Envoys, Governors, Members of Parliaments, Representative of Parties and those of similar standing.
• The Star of Freedom: Awarded to Palestinian and foreign Activists who are working for peace, as well to Members of Parliaments, Representatives of Parties who support the freedom and independence of the State of Palestine.
• The Knight of Palestine: Awarded to outstanding and extraordinary individuals in various fields.

II. The Order of Jerusalem:

Consists of five ranks, divided into two levels, in the following sequence:

1. Highest rank:

• The Grand Cordon – The Order of Jerusalem: Awarded to Kings, Presidents, Heads of Governments and those of similar standing.
• The Grand Star – The Order of Jerusalem: Awarded to Heads of Governments, Ministers, International Envoys, Arab and international Leaders of Parliaments and Parties, and those of similar standing. It can be awarded, as well, to prominent Palestinian, Arab and foreign personalities who have similar standing.

2. Three ranks, as follows:

• The Star of Jerusalem: Awarded to Palestinian and foreign Ministers, Ambassadors, Envoys, Governors, Members of Parliaments, and Representative of Parties.
• The Star of Peace: Awarded to Palestinian and foreign activists who are working for peace, as well as to Members of Parliaments, Representative of Parties who support the freedom and independence of the State of Palestine.
• The Knight of Jerusalem: Awarded to outstanding and extraordinary individuals in various fields.

III. The Order of President Yasser Arafat

Consists of three ranks, divided into two levels, in the following sequence:

1. Highest rank:

• The Grand Cordon – The Star of Honour: Awarded to Kings and Heads of States and those of similar standing. It can also be given to the Heads of the National Council and the Legislative Council, the Chairman and Members of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the Chairmen and Secretaries General of the Palestinian factions and parties, and those of similar standing. It can be awarded as well to prominent Palestinian and foreign personalities who have provided substantial and unprecedented contributions to the Palestinian people.

2. Two ranks, as follows:

• The Star of Jebus: Awarded to Palestinian and foreign Ministers, Ambassadors, Envoys, Governors, Members of Parliaments, Representative of Parties, and those of similar standing.
• The Medal of Bravery: Awarded to outstanding individuals and those who have demonstrated courage, initiative and significant performance of their duty towards their work and their homeland.

IV. The Order of President Mahmoud Abbas

Consists of three ranks, divided into two levels, in the following sequence:

1. Highest rank:

• The Grand Collar of Canaanites: Awarded to Kings, Heads of States, and those of similar standing. It can also be given to the Heads of the National Council and the Legislative Council, the Chairman and Members of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the Chairmen and Secretaries General of the Palestinian factions and parties, and those of similar standing. It can be awarded as well to Palestinian and foreign personalities who have provided substantial and unprecedented contributions to the Palestinian people.

2. Two ranks, as follows:

• The Star of Friendship: Awarded to Palestinian and foreign Ministers, Ambassadors, Envoys, Governors, Members of Parliaments, Representative of Parties, and those of similar standing.
• The Medal of Achievement: Awarded to distinguished and creative talents and persons, including cadres, employees working at public and private sectors and civil society, who have realised significant achievements and initiatives in the performance of their duty towards their institutions and homeland.

V. The Order of Bethlehem, consisting of two ranks:

1. The Grand Collar of Bethlehem is the highest level in this Order. It is awarded to Kings, Presidents, Faith Leaders, and those of similar standing.

2. The Star of Bethlehem: Awarded to Palestinian and foreign Ministers, Ambassadors, Envoys, Governors, Members of Parliaments, Representative of Parties, and those of similar standing.

VI. The Order of Merit and Distinction, consisting of two ranks (Gold and Silver):

1. The Gold Order of Merit and Distinction, and

2. The Silver Order of Merit and Distinction.

Awarded to Ministers, Ambassadors, Envoys, Members to the Houses of Representatives and Senate, Representatives of Parties, Palestinian, Arab and foreign personalities, and those of similar ranking. Also given to prominent Palestinian personalities who have provided significant services to the homeland.

VII. The Order of Culture, Science and Arts, divided into four levels:

1. The Grand Star of the Order,

2. The Brilliance Level of the Order,

3. The Creativity Level of the Order, and

4. The Innovation Level of the Order.

Awarded to Palestinian and foreign intellects, authors, writers, poets, scientists, researchers and artists. It can be also awarded to institutions that provided distinguished works and services to the State of Palestine.

VIII. Civilian Orders and Medals:

1. The Honorary Palestinian Citizenship,

2. The Gold Medal of Merit and Distinction,

3. The Silver Medal of Merit and Distinction,

4. The Gold Medal of Al Quds, and

5. The Silver Medal of Al Quds.

The Honorary Palestinian Citizenship can be awarded to Arab and foreign personalities who have provided significant services to Palestine. The rest of the medals and orders mentioned above are awarded to personalities and members of the Palestinian people who have provided services to the homeland, and can be awarded to Arab and foreign personalities.

IX. Military Orders:

1. The Military Order of the Star of Palestine,

2. The Military Order of the Star of Jerusalem, and

3. The Military Order of the Star of Honour.

Awarded to Palestinian, Arab and foreign military and security leaders who have provided services to Palestine.

X. Military Orders, Medals and Decorations:

All of the same rank, awarded according to achievement and designated purposes, and each consisting of three levels (Gold, Silver and Bronze):

1. The Military Medal of Sacrifice

2. The Military Medal of Duty

3. The Military Medal of Training

4. The Military Medal of Distinguished Service

5. The Military Medal of War Injuries

6. The Military Medal of Special Promotions

7. The Military Medal of Excellence

8. The Military Medal of Bravery

9. The Military Medal of Appreciation

10. The Military Medal of Honour

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

Article 2

The civilian and military decorations, orders and medals provided for under Article 1 of this Decree shall be awarded by a decision from the President of the State.

Article 3

In pursuance of the provisions of this Decree, the President of the State of Palestine shall be adorned with the highest level of the highest Palestinian order, namely, the Grand Collar of the Order of the State of Palestine.

Article 4

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

Article 5

The acceptance of Arab and foreign civilian and military decorations, orders and medals shall be [based] upon a decision from the President of the State of Palestine.

Article 6

The civilian and military decorations, orders and medals and their patents shall remain a property of the heirs to the awardees as a way of remembrance, without any one of the heirs having the right to hold them.

Article 7

The civilian and military decorations, orders and medals may not be disposed of by the awardees or their heirs, nor may they be subject to attachment.

Article 8

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

Article 9

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

Article 10

1. The Decree No. 11 of 2016 Concerning the Civilian and Military Decorations, Orders and Medals of the State of Palestine shall be repealed.

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

Article 11

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 August 30^th, 2018 Anno Domini,

Corresponding to Thu al-Hijja 19^th, 1439 Anno Hegira.

Mahmoud Abbas

President of the State of Palestine

Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation