The Genesis Prize Foundation announced on Tuesday that the Genesis Prize 2025 laureate is Argentine President Javier Milei, making him the first head of state to receive the prestigious award, widely referred to as “The Jewish Nobel Prize.”
Milei was the unanimous choice of the nine judges on the committee, which commended him for his unequivocal support of Israel during one of the most difficult times since the founding of the Jewish State.
President Milei recently announced his decision to move the Argentinian embassy to Jerusalem, has reversed years of anti-Israel votes by Argentina in the United Nations, and has pledged to bring culprits responsible for the AMIA and Israeli Embassy bombings in Argentina in 1992 and 1994, respectively, to justice.
Not long ago, he declassified intelligence on the mysterious murder of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who was investigating the AMIA case.
“President Milei is a true hero of the Jewish people,” said Stan Polovets, co-founder and chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation. “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.”
Milei has also deepened Argentina’s alliance with Israel, bucking decades of anti-Israel votes at the United Nations, and pledging to move Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem. This move stands in stark contrast to other responses by South American countries that have distanced themselves from Israel amid its war with Hamas.
Along with his foreign policy accomplishments, the Genesis Prize Committee cited Milei’s economic reforms. Under his command, inflation in Argentina fell from 25% to 2.4% per month, and the country recorded a fiscal surplus for the first time in 15 years.
That said, there is an adjustment struggle in terms of implementing these reforms, but it has an approval rating above 50% – which is extremely high for a democratic leader.
Upon accepting the honor, Milei said, “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.”
The Genesis Prize
The Genesis Prize is an annual award amounting to $1 million that honors exceptional individuals for their professional accomplishments, contributions to humanity, and support of Israel. Other previous laureates have included Michael Bloomberg, Itzhak Perlman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Albert Bourla. The foundation has given more than $50 m. to philanthropic causes around the world since it was launched in 2013.
Milei, who has become more open about his Jewish identity, studies Torah and attends prayer services, and has vowed to convert after he leaves office. He has cited his Jewish background, recently learned through his grandfather, as one inspiration.