U.S. Professor Becomes First Jew to Win ‘Arab Nobel Prize’

4
>>Follow Matzav On Whatsapp!<<

stanford-professor-ronald-levy-smallAn American professor has become the first Jew to win the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine, popularly known as the “Arab Nobel Prize.” Stanford professor Ronald Levy, who heads the university’s Oncology department, told Haaretz that as an American Jew married to an Israeli it never crossed his mind that he might win the Saudi-financed competition. “I didn’t think there was much chance, and I forgot about it,” Levy said. “It’s an Arab country, and I didn’t think they are likely to pick a Jew.”

After he was informed of his victory, Levy rushed to check the contest Web site, where he found his picture and biography already on the homepage.

The prize committee had posted Levy’s biography exactly as he submitted it, with one glaring exception: the line showing his post-doctoral work at the Weizmann Institute in Rechovot had been deleted.

The prize, which included $200,000, a medal, and a certificate in English and Arabic, also came with a dinner with Saudi King Abdullah.

stanford-professor-ronald-levyLevy told Haaretz he was certain his wife and daughters would not be able to attend the ceremony, as their passports are full of visas from Israel and his wife and one of his daughters were born in Israel. To his surprise, when he went to the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles, the attendants stamped their passports, and no one asked any questions.

Despite their fears before the trip, Levy said his family was treated to royal hospitality during their entire stay in Saudi Arabia. He said that even when people were aware of his religion and his family’s background, he was treated no different than anyone else. Also, Levy said Saudis were fascinated with hearing what he and other visitors think of their country, and if their expectations were proved wrong or not.

Levy’s victory is the first time in the award’s 30 years that a Jew has won, which Levy says he took as a sign that Saudi Arabia is becoming more open.

Levy won the prize for his part in the development of a drug used in the treatment of many types of cancer that is being widely viewed as revolutionary.

For over 30 years, Levy has researched methods of using the body’s immune system to fight cancer. His researched led to the development of the concept that a drug made from antibody could be used to fight cancer.

{Yair Alper-Matzav.com Israel/Haaretz}


4 COMMENTS

  1. Avi, as you read the article you can see that Dr. Levy’s wife and children are Israeli, the hatred for Jews/Israelis is real. I would surmise that the medical benefits of Dr. Levy in the world of oncology is what ALLOWS the Arabs to ignore his religion.

  2. Avi, you might be interested to find out that in Saudi Arabia it is illegal to bring in any holy text that is not produced by their brand of Islam. The Torah, Christian Bible, and other versions of the Koran are all illegal there. During the 1st Gulf War it was a problem for American soldiers based there to have xmas celebrations on base. They look down on all other religions.

  3. This entire scenario is hard to beleve. but believe it I must as It has been doumented as so . It’s definitely a step in the right direction and may very well be a start with understanding of the two religions. Let us hope so

Leave a Reply to Truth be spoken Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here