l to r: Isaac Assa, leading Mexican Jewish philanthropist and founder of ILAN Israel Innovation Network, and Stan Polovets, Cofounder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation
New York, August 11, 2025 The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) today announced the launch and $1 million initial funding of a new nonprofit organization, the American Friends of the Isaac Accords (AFOIA). Conceived by 2025 Genesis Prize laureate Argentinian President Javier Milei, the Isaac Accords aim to mirror the success of the Abraham Accords by fostering diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation between Israel and key Latin American nations.
“The creation of AFOIA was inspired by President Milei, who received the Genesis Prize for his steadfast support of Israel during one of the most challenging periods in its history,” said Stan Polovets, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation. “AFOIA is a vehicle to promote Milei’s bold vision and encourage other Latin American leaders to stand with Israel, confront antisemitism, and reject the ideologies of terror that threaten our shared values and freedoms.”
President Milei, accepting the Genesis Prize earlier this year, stated, “I hold deep admiration for Israel – its history, its people, and its unwavering spirit. I am honored that the Genesis Prize Foundation has chosen to recognize our country’s strong relationship with Israel. I trust that this gesture may inspire deeper dialogue and cooperation throughout the region, based on shared values such as freedom, democracy, and mutual respect.”
Initial focus on Uruguay, Panama, and Costa Rica
AFOIA – a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in New York – will initially direct its efforts toward Uruguay, Panama, and Costa Rica, three countries seen by regional analysts as primed for enhanced cooperation with Israel. These nations stand to benefit significantly from Israeli expertise in water technology, agriculture, cyber defense, fintech, healthcare, and energy.
To implement its mission, AFOIA is partnering with trusted nonprofit organizations that have a proven track record of influence and impact in Latin America. Initial grant recipients include:
- ILAN Israel Innovation Network
Founded by prominent Mexican philanthropist Isaac Assa, ILAN connects Latin American students, entrepreneurs, and public officials with Israeli innovation. These immersive experiences aim to create a generation of leaders motivated to become catalysts for political change and support for Israel in their countries. - StandWithUs
An international organization founded by Roz and Jerry Rothstein, StandWithUs educates and mobilizes individuals of all ages and backgrounds to defend Israel and combat antisemitism. Already active in Brazil, SWU will now expand its programming to engage young leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Uruguay, with the goal of cultivating a new regional network of informed, vocal pro-Israel advocates. - Israel Allies Foundation
Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) empowers pro-Israel lawmakers worldwide by educating, organizing, and mobilizing faith-based political leaders. With a presence in 62 national legislatures, IAF equips both grassroots movements and senior policymakers to stand with Israel. - Rambam Health Care Campus
One of Israel’s top medical institutions, Rambam will train emergency response personnel at the National Children’s Hospital in Costa Rica, sharing advanced protocols for handling mass casualty incidents and trauma care. - The Philos Project
This initiative equips Christian leaders to support Israel, defend persecuted Christians in the Middle East, and promote Western values rooted in the Hebraic tradition. - Yalla Israel (Maccabee Task Force)
Through social media outreach and influencer engagement, Yalla Israel fosters powerful personal connections to Israel and amplifies voices against antisemitism while championing coexistence and tolerance.
AFOIA intends to broaden its reach into Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and potentially El Salvador in 2026, contingent on political developments and donor support. Future grants and strategic partnerships may be announced in the coming months.
Combating Isolation in the UN
In addition to fostering closer economic and cultural ties, one of AFOIA’s goals is to support Israel’s diplomatic efforts to strengthen the country’s relations with Costa Rica, Panama, and Uruguay. It will aim to encourage governments of these countries to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem, designate Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, and reverse decades-old records of anti-Israel votes in the UN.
According to Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, it is essential to expand the list of South and Central American countries which stand with Israel beyond Argentina, Guatemala, Honduras and Paraguay. “Given the hostility toward the Jewish state from some nations in the region, support of Israel by Latin American countries which are now on the sidelines is very important,” said Ambassador Danon. “President Milei’s vision for Isaac Accords is highly admirable, as is the practical support provided by The Genesis Prize Foundation and AFOIA.”
Ambassador Danon added: “Israel has long been a beacon of innovation and resilience. The establishment of a Latin America–Israel alliance rooted in shared values and mutual benefit is long overdue. I am pleased to see the Isaac Accords initiative get off the ground and thank President Milei for setting an example for his neighbors in the region.”
Media Contact
Ali Karlin, Genesis Prize Foundation
akarlin@genesisprize.org | +1 267-738-0677
About the Genesis Prize Foundation
The Genesis Prize is a global award that celebrates achievement and contributions to humanity.
Previous Genesis Prize honorees are:
- Former New York City Mayor and philanthropist Michael R. Bloomberg (2014)
- Actor, producer and peace activist Michael Douglas (2015)
- Itzhak Perlman, virtuoso violinist and advocate for individuals with special needs (2016)
- Sculptor and advocate for the rights of refugees Sir Anish Kapoor (2017)
- Oscar-winning actress and social activist Natalie Portman (2018)
- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Lifetime Achievement Award 2018)
- Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, owner of New England Patriots, and Founder of The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism Robert Kraft (2019)
- Jewish leader and human rights activist Natan Sharansky (2020)
- Filmmaker and activist Steven Spielberg (2021)
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (Lifetime Achievement Award 2021)
- Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Albert Bourla (2022)
- Jewish activists and NGOs supporting Ukraine (2023) and the same year, singer, actor, director and activist Barbra Streisand became the 10th Anniversary Genesis Prize Laureate and
- Israeli organizations supporting the hostages and their families (2024)
The $1 million prize award, along with matching funds, has been donated in honor of the Laureates to various initiatives, including: support of social entrepreneurship based on Jewish values, welcoming intermarried families in Jewish life, improving the lives of individuals with special needs, helping to alleviate the global refugee crisis, advancing women’s equality, combating antisemitism and efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel, assistance to those affected by the COVID pandemic and to nonprofits fighting for racial and economic justice; preserving the memory of Jewish communities destroyed during the Nazi occupation of Greece; assistance to Jewish activists and NGOs working to alleviate the suffering of the people of Ukraine; humanitarian assistance, treatment, rehabilitation and counseling for hostages rescued or released from Hamas captivity and their families.
Since its inception in 2013, The Genesis Prize has leveraged the annual $1 million award into philanthropic initiatives totaling more than $50 million, with grants going to more than 230 nonprofit programs in 31 countries, directly impacting the lives of tens of thousands of people.