Argentina’s President Javier Milei visits the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, during his tour in Jerusalem’s Old City, February 6, 2024 (Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)
The Genesis Prize Foundation announced on Tuesday that they were awarding President Javier Milei of Argentina with their prestigious award, known as the “Jewish Nobel Prize.”
The annual award is worth $1 million and is given to persons with exceptional professional and humanitarian accomplishments, and that also show strong support for the State of Israel.
Recently Milei announced that he would be moving the Argentinian embassy to Jerusalem, demonstrating steadfast friendship with Israel in the middle of the war with Hamas and Hezbollah. He also has changed the trend of Argentina’s voting against Israel in the United Nations, and promised to bring justice to the culprits of the Israeli Embassy bombings in his country from 1992 and 1994.
Stan Polovets, co-founder and chair of the Genesis Prize Foundation, stated that “President Milei is a true hero of the Jewish people.” Milei won the prize unanimously from the committee, with Polovet also proclaiming, “Unlike leaders of many other countries, Milei has unconditionally backed the Jewish people and their state. This award expresses the appreciation of the State of Israel and the gratitude of the people of Israel toward the President and the people of Argentina.”
In addition to his foreign policy and support of Israel, the Genesis Foundation also recognized Milei for his positive economic and fiscal successes in Argentina. Since his election, inflation in Argentina has dropped from 25% to 2.4%, and the country has it’s first fiscal surplus in 15 years, which has led to an approval rating of over 50% in his country.
Milei spoke about his acceptance of the award saying, “I am deeply honored to receive the Genesis Prize. I will give the monetary prize to causes that support freedom and the fight against antisemitism, whether in Argentina or worldwide.”
Milei has been more vocal about his Jewish heritage since his election, which he learned about from his grandfather. He studies the Torah, attends prayer services, and has stated his intention to fully convert to Judaism upon completing his term in office.
Milei is the first head of state to win the prestigious award, but is in good company with other winners since the award’s inception in 2013.
Previous honorees include Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Michael Bloomberg, Itzhak Perlman, and Albert Bourla. The Genesis Foundation has given over $50 million to philanthropic causes in the last 12 years.
