Argentina's Javier Milei wins Genesis Prize for supporting Israel
- During his December 2023 visit to Israel, Javier Milei offered prayers at the Western Wall and discussed the fate of Argentinian hostages held by Hamas.
- Milei was awarded the Genesis Prize for his support of Israel, making him the first non-Jewish head of state to receive the honor.
- The visit solidified Milei's commitment to fostering stronger diplomatic ties between Argentina and Israel, showcasing a shift in Argentine foreign policy.
In December 2023, Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, visited Israel to strengthen diplomatic ties during his second state visit since taking office. He began his visit in Jerusalem, where he was welcomed at the Western Wall by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and other officials who commended his unwavering support for Israel. Milei offered prayers at the sacred site, emphasizing his commitment to the people of Israel. He met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, discussing the tragic attacks on Argentinian nationals by Hamas and reiterating the demand for the return of the hostages. Additionally, Milei announced plans for Argentina to move its embassy to Jerusalem, joining a group of countries that have already made that decision. The culmination of this visit was his receipt of the Genesis Prize, recognized for his firm stance against antisemitism and terrorism, making him the first non-Jewish recipient and head of state to be honored in this way. During the award ceremony, he decided to waive the prize money, directing it towards the funding of initiatives aimed at fostering stronger diplomatic relations between Latin America and Israel, modeled after the Abraham Accords. Following this visit, Milei signed a "Memorandum of Understanding for Democracy and Freedom" with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on collaboration to counter terrorism and promote mutual values.