JERUSALEM — The prestigious Genesis Prize for 2025 has been awarded to Argentinian President Javier Milei, recognizing his steadfast support of Israel, as announced by organizers on Tuesday.
During his initial year as president, Milei pledged to shift Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem, a move that aligns Argentina with a select group of nations that acknowledge the city as Israel’s capital, which remains a contentious issue. He has been a vocal advocate for Israel at the United Nations and has expressed his commitment to seek justice for the bombings that targeted Israeli and Jewish establishments in Argentina during the 1990s.
In response to receiving the prize, Milei expressed his gratitude and admired the resilience shown by the Jewish community. He stated, “This spirit is a cornerstone of the relationship between Argentina and Israel, and I will work to further strengthen our ties.” This acknowledgment comes along with a $1 million award that is typically presented annually to individuals for their professional achievements, philanthropic contributions, and dedication to Jewish ideals. Previous awardees have chosen to allocate their winnings to various charitable initiatives, and Milei has indicated that he plans to direct the funds toward combating antisemitism both in Argentina and globally.
Having recently concluded his first year in office, Milei’s administration has faced challenges. His distinctive style, characterized by unkempt hair, over-the-top personal remarks, and a fierce dedication to economic liberalism, initially raised eyebrows in a nation accustomed to economic turmoil and reform failures. Although his strict austerity measures have resulted in escalating unemployment rates and increased poverty, there are signs that inflation in Argentina may be starting to taper off, with Milei’s approval ratings hovering above 50%.
According to the organizers of the Genesis Prize, this marks the first occasion a sitting head of state has received the award. Stan Polovets, Chairman of the Genesis Prize, stated, “Despite the enormous challenges in his home country, he made it his top priority to stand by Israel at its most difficult hour.” Additionally, Milei has demonstrated a profound interest in Judaism, hinting at the possibility of converting in the future.
The Genesis Prize is generally presented at a gala held each June in Jerusalem, attended by the Prime Minister of Israel. Previous recipients of this honor include notable figures such as businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Michael Douglas, renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, former Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky, and actress Barbra Streisand.
