New York, NY - March 3, 2026 The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) hosted a diplomatic luncheon yesterday bringing together Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon and UN ambassadors and senior officials from Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Paraguay.
Held against the backdrop of Israel’s conflict with Iran and Hezbollah, the luncheon underscored the growing importance of principled alliances and diplomatic depth at a time when Israel faces sustained missile and drone attacks targeting its civilian population.
“As Israel defends itself from Iranian and Hezbollah missile and drone attacks, one truth is clear: Security is not only about defense – it is about diplomatic depth and strong, values-based partnerships,” said Stan Polovets, Co-Founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation. “This luncheon was a reminder that in times of war, friendships matter.”
The gathering was part of the Foundation’s broader philanthropic initiative to strengthen ties between Israel and Latin American countries. Launched this past July by The Genesis Prize Foundation, American Friends of Isaac Accords (AFOIA) advances the Latin American “Isaac Accords” vision of 2025 Genesis Prize Laureate, Argentinian President Javier Milei. The initiative seeks to deepen diplomatic alignment, expand trade and innovation partnerships, and strengthen institutional ties between Israel, the United States, and Latin America.
Examples of this work include Rambam Hospital training medical personnel in Costa Rica; engagement with Spanish-language media through Fuente Latina; and collaboration with ILAN to help Latin American students bring their ideas to fruition with guidance from Israeli innovators.
GPF’s Managing Director of Latin America, former U.S. Ambassador Fitz Haney, emphasized this mission in his remarks at the luncheon: “We are working to transform shared values into shared action – strengthening diplomatic alignment, expanding trade and innovation partnerships, encouraging principled UN voting, and deepening institutional ties between Israel, the United States, and Latin America. Israel is not alone – and we are building partnerships designed to endure.”
At a moment when Israel faces growing geopolitical pressure, the luncheon highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to advancing alliances rooted in shared democratic values, mutual respect, and practical cooperation.