Javier Milei: Argentine President Javier Milei will travel to Jerusalem next week to officially receive the prestigious $1 million Genesis Prize, an honor awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Jewish values and the State of Israel.
Milei will accept the prize during a June 11 ceremony at Israel’s Knesset, where he is also expected to deliver a speech to the Israeli parliament.
The Genesis Prize Foundation announced Milei as the 2024 recipient back in January, recognizing his outspoken support of Israel and his transformative policies that have redefined Argentina’s diplomatic posture in the Middle East.
After postponing a planned March visit, the Argentine leader is now making his first official trip to Israel since taking office.
Milei has pledged to donate the full $1 million award to launch a new initiative aimed at strengthening diplomatic relations between Israel and Latin American nations while combatting antisemitism across the region.
The prize organizers highlighted his commitment to reversing Argentina’s history of anti-Israel votes at the United Nations, his government’s designation of Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, and his renewed efforts to reopen investigations into the 1990s bombings of Jewish centers in Argentina — long-standing cases marred by political controversy and inaction.
In a bold move earlier this year, Milei also announced plans to relocate Argentina’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, aligning with a handful of countries, including the United States, in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
While the embassy move is not expected to take place during this visit, it remains a central point in Milei’s foreign policy agenda.
Often referred to as the “Jewish Nobel,” the Genesis Prize has previously honored global figures such as former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Michael Douglas, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
President Milei becomes the first Latin American leader to receive the award.
Milei’s trip and award come at a time when international diplomacy in the region remains tense, and his pro-Israel stance has drawn both praise and criticism back home. Yet, supporters say his outspoken advocacy reflects a break from the past and a firm commitment to democratic and Jewish values.
As the Argentine president prepares to address the Israeli Knesset, global eyes will be on Milei’s speech — one expected to echo his broader goals of international alignment and cultural diplomacy.