President Javier Milei condemned on Friday the “atrocious and unforgivable” violence by Islamist movement Hamas in Israel and criticised the “resurgence of anti-Semitism” during a rally with the Jewish community.
Milei, who has recently embraced Orthodox Judaism, also said he would be visiting Israel soon.
"In the coming weeks, I will be traveling to the Holy Land," Milei said in a speech at the Holocaust Museum in the capital, evoking a "new chapter in the brotherhood of our two nations."
“The abhorrent violent events of October 7 are atrocious and unforgivable,” said the libertarian leader during his speech.
“The Holocaust and Nazis are not a thing of the past: the events of October are atrocious and in a global context of resurgence of anti-Semitism, we have to be firm and not look the other way,” he said in relation to the attack.
The assault on Israeli territory resulted in the death of some 1,140 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of nearly 250. According to Israel, 104 hostages remain captive and 28 may have died.
At least 26,083 Palestines, mostly minors and women, have died in the Gaza Strip during the bombing and ground operations by Israel to vindicate the attack, according to Hamas’ government, which has ruled the small Palestinian territory since 2007.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in the Hague, urged Israel on Friday to prevent any genocidal acts during its Army’s onslaught in the Gaza Strip, though it did not call for an immediate ceasefire.
In addition to Milei, Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona, Defence Minister Luis Petri, Foreign Minister Diana Mondino and Human Capital Minister Sandra Petovello were also in attendance at Friday's event.
The event was also attended by Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri.
Commemoration
Milei took part in a ceremony marking the Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.
The La Libertad Avanza acknowledged the history of the victims and survivors. “The survivors in this country are a testimony to prevent atrocities from being repeated ever again,” he stated.
He declared Argentina to be a nation that welcomed the victims of starvation, instability and oppression.
Milei, in turn, remembered that “many countries in the free world” had refrained from stating an opinion during the Holocaust – the systematic murder of six million Jews during World War II – and criticised the fact that many nations still “remain silent.”
He also demanded the release of the remaining “11 Argentine compatriots” kidnapped by Hamas and promised to work to “end the impunity” related to murky investigations into the infamous terrorist attacks on the Israeli Embassy in 1992 and the AMIA Jewish community centre in 1994, both of which took place in Buenos Aires.
Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America, numbering some 250,000 people.
“Today I stress the importance the memory of the Shoah has had in Argentina since the return to democracy. I especially wish to thank President Javier Milei for being the first Argentine head of State to take part in an event at this Museum in person, for showing from the first his support for Israel after the attack on October 7, highlighting its right to defend itself, and for having started the process to classify Hamas as a terrorist organisation," said Marcelo Mindlin, president of the Holocaust Museum.
"His presence here today is a decisive symbol that the memory of the Holocaust is a State policy in Argentina," he added.
Faith
Milei, who comes from a Catholic family, has been open about his admiration for the Jewish faith. In interviews last year, he explained that for a few years now he has studied the Torah, the book of Jewish scripture.
Right after his November election, he visited the tomb of a revered rabbi in New York, a popular spiritual pilgrimage destination for some Jews.
He regularly declares his admiration for the Jewish people, while he established that his main allies while in office will be the United States and Israel.
“We ratify our commitment to defend freedom and reject anti-Semitism. Shalom, freedom. Thank you very much,” said the head of state in closing his speech.
Prior to his election, Milei had referred to Argentine-born Pope Francis as "the evil one," "nefarious," and an "imbecile" who "promotes communism."
The two seemed to reconcile when Francis called to congratulate Milei on his win and the new president invited the pope on a visit.
His Israel visit could coincide with a trip to Rome, where he is to attend a ceremony to canonise an Argentine nun.
The Clarîn newspaper has said the pope would receive Milei on February 12.
– TIMES/AFP
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