Le prix israël (1953-2003).entre controverse et instrumentalisation

The Israel prize, attributed to renowned artists and scientists of Israeli nationality, is considered one of the country's most prestigious "distinctions". Attributed since 1953, the prize has been used to promote a certain conception of the figure of the intellectual as a servant of the State who is likely to be mobilised by competition for honours. Nevertheless, as what is commonly called civil society grew increasingly autonomous in Israel, this reward became the focus of sharp controversies that revealed the power relationships that underlie the intellectual and political field.