On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly session opening in New York, B’nai B’rith International today bestowed its Presidential Gold Medal—the organization’s highest honor—upon President Javier Milei of Argentina in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was the first time a sitting head of state was so honored by B’nai B’rith alongside a fellow head of government.

Previous Presidential Gold Medal Recipients

Milei joins a long line of illustrious past B’nai B’rith awardees including President John F. Kennedy, founding Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Committed Friendship to Israel and the Jewish People

Milei was recognized by B’nai B’rith President Robert Spitzer and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin for his committed friendship to Israel and the Jewish people. An avowed admirer of Judaism, Milei has pledged to move Argentina’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, opened archives on infamous Nazi fugitives in his country and taken steps to finally bring Iran and its proxies to justice for the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish organization in Buenos Aires—the deadliest terrorist attack in Latin American history. He has also launched the “Isaac Accords” initiative to deepen mutually rewarding ties between Latin America and the Jewish state.

“We presented this award to President Milei for his long-standing and sincere friendship to Israel and the Jewish people,” Spitzer said. “In the spirit of bestowing this award, which has honored so many luminaries for their special relationship with the Jewish community and with Israel, it was fitting that President Milei joined this group of outstanding international leaders.”

In his prepared remarks Mariaschin noted: “This award carries tremendous significance, as it upholds a tradition grounded in principle, enduring values, and moral clarity. Today we gather to present this medal to President Javier Milei, who now joins that distinguished list. Mr. President, you have shown a profound and genuine friendship with the Jewish people and the State of Israel. From your earliest days in public life, and now as head of state, you have made that friendship a guiding principle of your leadership. In an age when moral relativism threatens the very foundations of our civilization, you have affirmed that certain values cannot be compromised: liberty, human dignity, and the right of every nation to live in peace and security.”

Read Mariaschin’s full remarks as prepared here.

Argentina is the second largest country and second largest economy in South America, as well as a key regional partner of the United States. The honoring of Milei alongside the Israeli premier testified to the exceptionally strong ties between the two world leaders and their countries at a critical and challenging time.

Earlier in the week, Milei met President Donald Trump at the U.N., and Netanyahu is due to do the same at the White House on Monday. Both are also addressing the world body this week.

Presidential Gold Medal Award Presented

After words of tribute, Milei was presented with the framed B’nai B’rith Presidential Gold Medal, and both he and Netanyahu spoke privately with the B’nai B’rith leaders.

The Argentine and Israeli leaders were accompanied by members of their high-level government delegations in New York. Spitzer and Mariaschin were joined by B’nai B’rith U.N. Affairs Chair and International Senior Vice President Millie Magid and Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels.

B’nai B’rith maintains an active chapter in Argentina led by President Susana Chalon, and B’nai B’rith World Center—Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider enjoys warm ties with Argentina’s ambassador in Israel, Rabbi Axel Wahnish, a close associate of Milei. Representing B’nai B’rith in Latin America are Eduardo Kohn, director of Latin American Affairs and Adriana Camisar, special advisor on Latin American and U.N. affairs.

B’nai B’rith History at the United Nations

B’nai B’rith—the world’s oldest Jewish communal organization, distinguished by a dedicated, longstanding Office of United Nations Affairs—is again meeting this week with an array of heads of state and government to advocate on critical global priorities. Those include Iran’s nuclear program, Middle Eastern terrorist groups, surging anti-Semitism and acute politicization at the world body.