Sir Anish Kapoor has cancelled his awards ceremony in Israel for the “Jewish Nobel” prize because of the suffering of the Syrian civil war.

The artist had already earmarked his $1 million award from the Genesis Foundation to aid Syrian refugees.

A statement from the foundation quoted by Ha’aretz said it had agreed with Sir Anish that “in light of the escalating war in Syria and the resulting deterioration of the refugee situation there, it would be inappropriate to hold a festive ceremony to honour Mr Kapoor and his work on refugee issues while children are being killed with chemical and other horrible weapons on Israel’s doorstep”.

The prize was instituted in 2012 to recognise those who combine professional excellence with service to Israel or the Jewish people.

Sir Anish’s work includes the Holocaust memorial at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John’s Wood, the 70 Candles project for Holocaust Memorial Day in 2015, and the Orbit sculpture in the Olympic Park in London. 

He once lived in Israel before moving to the UK and is a winner of the Turner Prize for art.

Stanley Polovets, co-founder of the prize, said at the time of the award in February: “In an age frequently characterised by cynicism and indifference, Anish continually advocates for the world’s disadvantaged – challenging all of us to do more to help wherever and whenever we can.

“Anish’s commitment to alleviate the plight of Syrian refugees will resonate with the Jewish community, especially young Jews, everywhere.”