Michael Bloomberg to give away $1 million Genesis Prize

Comedian and broadcaster Jay Leno, the host of the event joked: “Shows what I know. I thought the Nobel Prize was the Jewish Nobel Prize. Does anybody else ever win this thing?”

On presenting the award, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “The Genesis Prize is awarded to an exceptional person who embodies the Jewish tradition and Jewish values. Our most important tradition is that we cherish our heritage but always strive for new things.”

“We have achieved extraordinary things in 66 years and impressed the world. We achieve these things, because we are rooted in our traditions yet in the same time touch the future – in technology, science, and breakthrough innovation.”

The prize ceremony in Jerusalem also included performances by Israeli-Iranian singer, Rita and Grammy award winning pianist Evgeny Kissin.

Before entering politics, Mr Bloomberg set-up the hugely successful Bloomberg financial media company in the US. But the billionaire strongly denied any interest in getting involved in the newspaper business in Israel.

In response to a question from the New York Times, he said: "What letter in the word ‘no’ do you not understand?"