Bar-Ilan University will award an honorary doctorate to U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in recognition of his efforts toward securing a Gaza ceasefire and facilitating the return of hostages to Israel, the university announced Tuesday.

University President Arie Zaban announced the decision during the Jerusalem Post Miami Summit, praising Witkoff’s “moral leadership” in helping bring an end to Israel’s longest war and advancing prospects for regional peace.

“His unique ability to meet grief with true empathy allowed him to be welcomed in places where others have failed,” said Zaban.

Witkoff will receive the Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa at Bar-Ilan’s 70th anniversary ceremony later this year. He joins past honorees including Elie Wiesel, George H.W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Israeli prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, and Ariel Sharon.

Witkoff, who has recently engaged in diplomatic outreach involving Iran amid continuing protests there, has played a key role in ongoing U.S. efforts to stabilize the region.

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