Argentine President Javier Milei received the prestigious Genesis Prize in Jerusalem in recognition of his unwavering support for Israel, reversal of Argentina’s historic anti-Israel policies, and bold economic reforms at home. Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented the award during a formal ceremony attended by dignitaries, Jewish leaders, and global supporters of the Jewish state.

The Genesis Prize—often referred to as the “Jewish Nobel Prize”—celebrates individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to Jewish values and Israel. This is considered the highest honor in the Jewish world, and Milei is the first non-Jew to ever receive it. In Milei’s case, the Genesis Prize Foundation cited several landmark actions, including designating Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, reopening long-stalled investigations into past antisemitic attacks in Argentina, and reversing decades of anti-Israel positions at the United Nations.

Milei was also recognized for his leadership in stabilizing Argentina’s embattled economy. Since taking office, he has aggressively tackled inflation, slashed government spending, and steered the country toward its first fiscal surplus in over a decade.

Before the award ceremony, Herzog and Milei took part in a special tribute to Ariel Cunio, an Argentine-Israeli dual citizen held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The two leaders held a photograph of Cunio, who turned 27 today.

“President Milei has proven himself a true friend of Israel and the Jewish people,” said President Herzog. “He has stood firmly against terrorism and spoken boldly in international forums on behalf of moral clarity.”

Milei, a vocal admirer of Israel and its democratic values, has visited the country multiple times since assuming the presidency and has promised to move Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem.

The Genesis Prize comes amid heightened global attention to the war between Israel and Hamas, and Argentina’s pro-Israel pivot under Milei has drawn both international praise and domestic criticism. Still, many Jewish leaders have hailed his stance as courageous and historically significant.

This year’s Genesis Prize ceremony underscored not only Milei’s political and economic achievements but also the growing bond between Israel and Latin America’s second-largest nation