Legendary Advocate for Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Natan Sharansky Awarded 2020 Genesis Prize

Joins Michael Bloomberg and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as Recipient of Prestigious Jewish Award

JERUSALEM, Dec. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) announced Natan Sharansky, the legendary advocate for freedom, democracy and human rights, as the 2020 Genesis Prize Laureate. In choosing Sharansky from a list of 250 nominees, the Selection Committee noted his extraordinary lifelong struggle for political and religious freedoms, emphasizing the relevance of his work in today's world.

"Natan Sharansky is one of the great human rights advocates of our lifetime," said Stan Polovets, Co-founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation.  "At great personal sacrifice, he fought for the rights and dignity of all ethnicities, religions and nationalities. Today, as we witness democratic principles being challenged and human rights, along with freedoms of thought and expression, denied to so many, Natan's example is an inspiration to all those struggling for democracy. While this is particularly true in parts of the world under authoritarian rule, even in democracies our freedoms cannot be taken for granted. Natan's ideals and vision are as relevant today as they were in the 1980's when he took on the totalitarian Soviet regime – and won." 

Sharansky is the sole living non-US citizen to receive both the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, and Pope John Paul II were the only other non-Americans to receive both honors.

The annual Genesis Prize honors extraordinary individuals for their outstanding professional achievement, contribution to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values. In line with the tradition established by previous recipients of the Prize, Sharansky has chosen to forgo the $1 million award, and GPF will donate the funds in his honor to nonprofit organizations to be selected at a future date.

Sharansky becomes the 8^th Genesis Prize honoree. Previous Genesis honorees include New York City Mayor and current US presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg (2014), and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2018).

Michael Bloomberg said: "Congratulations to Natan Sharansky on winning this year's Genesis Prize. After being imprisoned in a Soviet gulag for nearly a decade, he has devoted his life to advancing and protecting human rights around the world. His values and ethics, rooted deeply in his Jewish faith, have served as his moral compass -- and his life has been a beacon to so many who dream of freedom."