Javier Milei receives $1M Genesis Prize for support of Israel

Argentina's President Javier Milei is scheduled to visit Israel for a significant event. In January, he was honored with the prestigious $1 million Genesis Prize due to his strong support for Israel, a crucial geopolitical ally for Argentina. This recognition marks a departure from Argentina's historical pattern of opposition toward Israel at international forums, particularly the United Nations. Shortly after his election, Milei took decisive actions, including designating both Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, a move that has further solidified his stance in favor of Israel. Milei's reception of the Genesis Prize is also a notable moment in the context of Argentina's foreign policy. He has expressed intentions to advance diplomatic relations between Israel and Latin America, aiming to counteract antisemitism within the region. The prize organizers commend his progressive approach, which involves reopening investigations into past attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets in Argentina during the 1990s. These attacks included bombings that claimed numerous lives and left a significant impact on the Jewish community in Argentina, creating a lasting shadow over relations with Israel. His forthcoming visit, initially planned for March but postponed, is set for June 11, when he will accept the Genesis Prize at a ceremony in Israel's Knesset, the national legislature. Alongside the award, he will give a speech addressing the Israeli parliament, further emphasizing Argentina's commitment to strengthening ties with Israel. Milei's planned donation of the prize money will fund initiatives to enhance these diplomatic relations and combat antisemitism in Latin America. Furthermore, Milei's commitment to moving Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem symbolizes a significant shift in Argentine foreign policy, aligning it with a small group of nations, including the United States, that recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Although this move is not slated for action during his visit, it signals his administration's intent to strengthen bilateral relations with Israel strategically. This change in policy comes at a time when international relationships are increasingly important for shared interests, especially in the face of rising global antisemitism and geopolitical tensions.