Renowned Indologist Professor David Shulman has decided to donate the prize money from the prestigious Israel Prize to Ta'ayush, an Israeli group that works for Palestinians in the south Hebron Hills, reported Jerusalem Post. The professor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem will receive the coveted prize on Thursday, along with a cash award of 75,000 shekel (Rs 13.3 lakh approximately) for his contribution in the fields of philosophy and religious studies. The prize is considered the highest honour in the country.

The prize committee had said, "In Israel he founded the field of India studies, and most India researchers in Israel are his students". In a video released last month, Shulman announced his decision to donate the money to the group, which he has been associated with for 15 years. He also said he had debated whether or not to accept the Israel Prize because of the "deteriorating situation" of the "Right, which is continuing the occupation".

While announcing the award, the committee said Shulman "is a brilliant and groundbreaking researcher of the religion, literature, and culture of southern India.” The panel also observed that the 67-year-old academician is an internationally renowned expert in this field, and his work is enhanced by his command of a wide range of languages, including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telegu and Malayalam. The US-born professor was also the first Israeli to win the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 1987.