The 2025 Genesis Prize ceremony marked a watershed moment in the award’s history as Argentine President Javier Milei became the first head of state – and the first non-Jew – to receive the prestigious honor, recognizing his unwavering support for Israel during one of its most challenging periods. Stan Polovets, co-founder and chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation, presented the award alongside Israeli President Isaac Herzog at Jerusalem’s Museum of Tolerance on June 12, 2025.
The ceremony represented more than symbolic recognition, as Milei waived the $1 million financial award, which The Genesis Prize Foundation will donate to support Milei’s “Isaac Accords” initiative, modeled after the Abraham Accords, aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties between Israel and Latin American nations. The unanimous selection last January by the nine-member Genesis Prize Selection Committee was a tribute to Milei’s transformation of Argentina’s foreign policy stance toward Israel, reversing decades of anti-Israel voting patterns at the United Nations.
Stan Polovets emphasized the global significance of the award, stating after the ceremony, “We must end Israel’s isolation on the world stage. Together with President Milei, we will start in Latin America and help make his dream of the Isaac Accords a reality.” The Genesis Prize Foundation chairman praised Milei as a “moral voice of clarity” on the international stage, highlighting how Argentina has emerged as Israel’s strongest Latin American ally.
The ceremony’s emotional resonance was evident as many attendees were moved to tears during a live performance of Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” in Milei’s honor. This moment encapsulated the broader theme of friendship and solidarity between Argentina and Israel, contrasting sharply with the diplomatic isolation Israel faces from many other countries.
Milei’s selection came after a year of decisive pro-Israel actions that distinguished him from other regional leaders. Unlike other South American countries that have distanced themselves from Israel amid the Gaza conflict, Argentina under Milei has designated Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations and pledged to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem. The president’s commitment extends beyond diplomatic gestures to concrete action, including reopening investigations into the 1990s bombings of Israeli and Jewish sites in Buenos Aires and committing to moving the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2026.
The ceremony gained additional poignancy through its connection to the hostage held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Prior to the awards presentation, Presidents Herzog and Milei marked the 28th birthday of hostage Ariel Cunio, who holds Argentine citizenship. The leaders also met with former hostages Luis Har and Clara Merman, with Herzog and Milei expressing shared hope for the return of all remaining captives.
Stan Polovets explained the strategic importance of the award beyond individual recognition: “This is more than a prize. It’s a call to action. We want to encourage South and Central American countries to emulate Argentina’s example by strengthening relations with Israel, voting with – not against – Israel in the UN, and cooperating on security matters.”
The Genesis Prize Foundation intends to partner with multiple organizations to support Milei’s Isaac Accords vision, including StandWithUs, the Israel Allies Foundation, and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. This collaborative approach reflects the foundation’s broader strategy of leveraging individual recognition to create lasting institutional change.
Milei’s personal journey toward Jewish identity has added depth to his political alliance with Israel. Having discovered his Jewish heritage through his grandfather and engaging in regular Torah study, the Argentine president represents a unique fusion of personal conviction and political leadership that resonates with Jewish communities worldwide.
The timing of the award carries particular significance given Argentina’s economic transformation under Milei’s leadership. The Genesis Prize committee recognized not only his foreign policy achievements but also his success in stabilizing Argentina’s economy, reducing monthly inflation from 25% to 2.4% and achieving the country’s first fiscal surplus in decades.
Natan Sharansky, former Soviet political prisoner and Genesis Prize co-founder, provided historical context at the ceremony. Speaking from his experience of nine years in Soviet prison, mostly in solitary confinement, Sharansky emphasized the importance of Israel not feeling alone in its current struggle. He praised Milei as “a real hero to the Jewish people” whose clear voice offers crucial support during Israel’s longest war in its history.
All previous Genesis Prize Laureates, including Michael Bloomberg, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Steven Spielberg, have redirected their awards toward philanthropic causes, creating a model that transforms individual recognition into collective action.
The foundation’s recent focus on supporting Israeli organizations working with hostage families demonstrates its responsiveness to urgent humanitarian needs. This adaptability has enabled the Genesis Prize to maintain relevance while addressing both historical challenges and emerging crises.
Milei’s acceptance speech, delivered in Spanish, captured the ceremony’s emotional weight as he declared, “In this difficult moment, I accompany you with a fraternal hug and a sincere ‘Am Yisrael Chai’,” using the Hebrew phrase meaning “the people of Israel live.” The standing ovation that followed reflected the audience’s appreciation for his unwavering solidarity.
The Isaac Accords initiative represents an ambitious expansion of diplomatic engagement, aiming to create a bloc of Latin American democracies aligned with Israel on security, innovation, and democratic values. Stan Polovets characterized this vision as “a geopolitical strategy that can bring tangible results in Latin America,” emphasizing how Milei’s example could inspire broader regional transformation.
The ceremony concluded with renewed commitment to confronting Israel’s global isolation and building bridges across continents. As international pressure on Israel continues to mount, the Genesis Prize’s recognition of Milei sends a powerful message about the importance of principled leadership and moral clarity in global affairs. The partnership between The Genesis Prize Foundation and President Milei promises to create new pathways for diplomatic engagement and mutual support between Israel and Latin America in the years ahead.
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