Javier Millay, Argentina's president-elect, says he will visit Israel before his inauguration on Dec. 10.
Millay's Victory Speech: We Embrace the Libertarian Model, Long Live Freedom | Reuters
"I go to the U.S. pretty regularly," Millay said in an interview with a Buenos Aires radio station. "From New York, I will continue to Israel, and we have already discussed this with the Israeli ambassador here."
Ambassador Eyal Sela and a delegation from the AMIA Jewish Center were reportedly among the first to meet Millay after his victory this morning.
Felicitamos al presidente electo, @JMilei.
Es nuestra aspiración poder trabajar juntos en la lucha contra el antisemitismo, todo tipo de discriminación y xenofobia, en defensa de los derechos humanos.
En este momento, en el que no tenemos paz porque siguen habiendo más de 240...
— DAIA (@DAIAArgentina) November 20, 2023
DAIA, the umbrella organization of Argentina's Jewish community, also congratulated Millay. The organization's statement said his election was a renewed opportunity to combat anti-Semitism, discrimination and xenophobia." This comes against the backdrop of the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in the country following the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7.
The DAIA statement also mentioned the issue of abductees in Gaza and called on the Argentine authorities to "use all possible resources to release the abductees and ensure their speedy return home." During the campaign, Millay was critical of the outgoing Argentine government, saying its "position was too soft in the face of difficult circumstances."
Argentina's main newspapers, today (Monday), photo: AFP
A reminder: Millay, who entered politics just two years ago and promised to rescue Argentina from its deep economic crisis, won 55.7% of the vote. Peronist candidate Sergio Massa settled for 44.4%.
Millay is known for his warm attitude toward Israel and Jews. The libertarian economist has said in the past that he would move his country's embassy to Israel. He said that in the past he had visited the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, according to some reports he was studying Torah with a rabbi in Buenos Aires, and in the past it was even reported that he had considered converting.
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