Day: February 14, 2024

CRY FOR ME, ARGENTINIA

From a curse to a blessing – have Argentina and Israel turned a tide in diplomatic relations?

By Jonathan Feldstein

Jerusalem’s Kiryat Hayovel neighborhood has a distinct international flavor. Streets are named Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Uruguay and more, recognizing Latin American countries that voted to establish a Jewish state in the Land of Israel in 1947. Notably missing from the top of the list is Argentina which abstained during the 1947 UN vote.

A Street Named ‘Guatemala’. With a number of streets in Jerusalem named after South American countries, conspicuous by its absence is Argentina that did not join fellow Latin American states that voted at the UN in 1947  to support the establishment of a Jewish state.

Recently, Argentinian President Javier Milei arrived in Israel to show solidarity at this time of war, and to turn the tide between the stained past of his country’s relationship with Israel. Milei’s visit was significant and historic on many levels. He arrived shortly after being elected in November, signifying the significance he places on Israel and his country’s relationship with Israel, which was a foundation of his campaign. Indeed, it was Milei’s first state visit overseas. Milei’s arrival also made him the first head of state to visit Israel from South America since the inhuman Hamas attack on Israel and massacre, the beginning of a war that’s now well into its fourth month.

Big Move. Announcing plans to move the embassy to Jerusalem,  Argentina’s President Javier Milei is seen here on 6 February 2024 praying and in tears at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City. (photo: Western Wall Heritage Foundation)

As many foreign dignitaries have done, Milei visited communities next to the Gaza border that were overrun by Hamas terrorists, among which some 1200 people were massacred by the terrorists, and from which hundreds were take hostage. Indeed, the significance of President Milei’s visit was amplified by him being accompanied to Israel’s Gaza border by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog.

Presidents Milei and Herzog were accompanied by former hostage Ofelia Roitman, a woman originally from Argentina, who moved to Israel in 1985. This was her first visit back to the farming community from which she was kidnapped.

Walk in the Shadow of Death. Exposed to the massacre that took place on October 7, President Isaac Herzog (left) and Argentinian President Javier Milei visit the destroyed homes on Kibbutz Nir Oz on February 8, 2024. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)

Milei gave unconditional backing to Israel, calling Hamas, the Palestinian Arab Islamists, a “terrorist group” who had committed “a crime against humanity.”Mieli noted:

 “The free world can’t remain indifferent in this case, as we see clear examples of terrorism and anti-Semitism and what I would describe as 21st century Nazism. When we hear about the methods that were used this time, it reminds us of the atrocities of the Holocaust.”

Hearing the Horror. During the visit to devastated kibbutz Nir Oz, Argentinian President Javier Milei (left) was joined by former Argentinian, Ofelia Roitman (right) who had been taken hostage and released from Gaza, and was returning to her home for the first time since the massacre. Israeli President Issac Herzog (right) look on.

Milei’s visit was also noteworthy in that he prayed at the Western Wall, danced with Israeli worshippers, and affirmed his intention to move Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem.

During his visit, some of my Argentinian friends went out of their way to express their pride and joy in seeing their president turning the tide on relations with Israel that have been marred by a history that’s less than positive, and previous leaders whose positions who have been decidedly hostile to Israel, or ambivalent at best. Following the Holocaust, Argentina welcomed and gave refuge to Nazi leaders and war criminals. Then in the 1990s, two massive Islamist terrorist attacks took place in Buenos Aries, targeting in 1992 the Israeli embassy, followed by the Jewish Community Center in1994. Investigations into these and the culpability of its leaders at the time also lead to the mysterious death of a Jewish prosecutor, Alberto Nisman, on the eve of a trial that would have made much of this public. 

President Milei’s visit made me think of my friend Diego Freytes and his profound and personal essay in “Israel the Miracle,” published by the Genesis 123 Foundation, featuring 75 essays by Christian leaders from around the world about why Israel is significant to them.  Diego not only refers to Argentina’s bitter past in blocking Jewish immigration in the 1930s, harboring Nazi war criminals and terrorists, and covering up its compliance as a base for Iranian terror.  He does a deep dive into the meaning of the promise God made to Abraham in verse Genesis 12:3:

“I will bless those who bless you, And I. will curse him who curses you; And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Israel the Miracle. Diego and Carolina Freytes.

More than just a cursory repetition of the Biblical verse, he looks at the root of the Hebrew words and what they mean, noting not just that its an imperative to bless Israel. Diego writes that the root of the word “to bless” is the same as the root of the word “knee”.  He explained that it’s not just a concept, but an active duty, as in to bend a knee. Literally, to stand in solidarity.  President Milei’s visit clearly did that.

The corollary to actively blessing Israel is cursing Israel. Despising Israel. A simple English or Spanish translation does not reveal the depth of the verse in the original Hebrew.  The consequence for cursing, or “looking down on someone” is not simply a non-descript curse.  Diego notes the Hebrew for the second part come from the word that means “to destroy completely.”

Reflecting on Argentina’s past, Diego notes the consequence of its actions that have been a curse to Israel, and how that has been a scar on Argentina for decades, leading to multiple examples of a country that once had a glorious past, spiraling downward to near utter destruction in the 80 years since it began cursing Israel. He writes before Milei’s election, as a reflection and seeking forgiveness for Argentina’s past, and as a prayer for its future. “What happened to my nation? Argentina is in a deep economic, political, and social crisis that has lasted more than 80 years. Inflation grows at over 100 percent per year. There is only a memory of that dazzling nation.”

This week, Diego Freyets’ words and President Milei’s visit came together as the beginning of a hint of turning the tide. In the early hours of February 12, the IDF conducted a seamless and bold military operation in the southern Gaza city, Rafah, rescuing two hostages.  Rafah remains the last stronghold of Hamas to where its terrorist leaders have fled, and where they have brought the remaining hostages held since October 7.

Of 136 hostages held, it could have been any hostages found and brought home. However, the two rescued were born in Argentina.  When President Milei visited the Gaza border area, he knew these Argentines were still in captivity just miles away. Is this a coincidence, or a divine wink that the tide is turning in the right direction, that the blessing is beginning?  Only God knows. May He continue to work through President Milei to heal the decades long rift, and may all the remaining hostages be rescued and come home soon.



About the writer:

Jonathan Feldstein ­­­­- President of the US based non-profit Genesis123 Foundation whose mission is to build bridges between Jews and Christians – is a freelance writer whose articles appear in The Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Townhall, NorthJersey.com, Algemeiner Jornal, The Jewish Press, major Christian websites and more.






While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

LETTER FROM ISRAEL AT WAR – WEEK 19

Shame on those who act against Israel in the name of “human rights” but then discriminate against my people and hold them to a different standard

By Harris Zvi Green

My dearest friends,

For me, this week started off on the wrong foot with the sudden passing of a dear friend of more than 60 years. Finding the words to comfort her family was so difficult. As one grows older, one becomes more experienced in things like this, but none of the stock phrases reserved for bereavements, could adequately express my deep sorrow. May her family be comforted amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Last Friday morning, I attended a demonstration of the expatriate South African community in Israel to protest the South African Government’s decision to file charges of genocide against Israel at the ICJ. This issue continues to annoy and disturb me.

Setting it Straight. Identifying the true nature and perpetrators of genocide, Nazi hunter and Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Jerusalem, Dr. Efraim Zuroff, speaks at the TbT/Telfed protest against South Africa’s government in Ra’anana, Israel on February 2, 2023. (Photo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zScK9MiZk2s)

One of the speakers, Dr. Efraim Zuroff, Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Jerusalem, said:

“It’s all politics. It’s all bullshit.”

Be that as it may, the politics and the bullshit, under the patronage of the international community, are stirring up anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric around the world.

Hamas and the other Iranian proxies in the region are becoming increasingly emboldened while antisemitism is sweeping through the streets of Europe and across university campuses in the United States at an unprecedented rate. Jewish communities around the world are becoming increasingly threatened.

The atrocities perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 are no longer an issue. The holding of 136 Israeli hostages for 126 days has been relegated to the back pages of the newspapers. The brutal killings and the gang rapes have long been forgotten. The outrageous charges made at the ICJ, the absurd comments made by the UN Secretary-General and the financial hold Qatar has on much of the media and academic institutions around the world, have effectively buried these issues.

I’m sick of the double standards, the demonization and the delegitimization. I’m more than disappointed with those who claim to act in the name of human rights but who repeatedly discriminate against my people and hold them to a different standard.

Selective Sight. Israelis (seen here in Tel Aviv) are constantly concerned for their hostages who are not only buried underground in Gaza’s tunnels but are buried by the global media from world attention. (Abir Sultan/EPA/Shutterstock)

I’m happy for Israel to be held to the highest standard, but this standard must be binding on all.

I recently read a review of a new book entitled “Ethics of our Fighters” by Rabbi Shlomo Brody. In the midst of dealing with an existential threat and facing orchestrated criticism from our enemies, I found the book most interesting. It’s thought provoking and presents a multitude of issues that challenge the moral fiber of a nation at war.

The author relates to the criticism being levelled at Israel that Judaism is making us conduct our war for survival in an unethical manner. He believes traditional Jewish ethics contribute positively to the IDF’s moral behavior on the battlefield.

Rabbi Brody explains that in-depth research of traditional Jewish texts reveals that Judaism encompasses many values, including the importance of destroying evil. Judaism believes all humans are created in the image of God. It cares about the deaths of all human creatures and doesn’t require unnecessary deaths or collateral damage to achieve military objectives. Judaism brings a balance of values to address these complex moral and ethical issues.

The Rabbi believes much of the criticism of Israel is based on an exclusive concern for upholding human rights without giving any consideration to the need to destroy the forces of evil that threaten our very existence. He notes that Israel, in her efforts to avoid randomly killing innocent Gazans, should not put her own soldiers at unnecessary risk. This, too, represents a serious moral and ethical dilemma.

Ricky Business. The labyrinth of terror tunnels beneath most of Gaza are a constant danger to Israeli soldiers searching for the hostages.(AP Photo/Jack Guez, Pool, File)

As Rabbi Brody concludes, there’s clearly a need to develop our moral fortitude to fully understand why we’re fighting this war. We need to win this war by doing what’s right and this includes destroying the forces of evil.

We need to judge ourselves by our own moral standards and not be deterred by selective criticism and the double standards used by our enemies. Responsibility for the deaths of non-combatants lies solely with Hamas who exploits them as human shields. The fact the world doesn’t recognize this, should be of no relevance to us.

Thanks to those of you who regularly inquire about the wellbeing of my family. Your concern means so much to me.

Ariel has made a good recovery from his injuries. He still requires some minor surgery. The doctors are confident he’ll be as good as new. Omer, too, will undergo surgery to address the infection at the bottom of his back. Much to his disappointment, this will sideline him from military action for the next two months. Ori has been released from the army for a few months and has resumed his studies. Eyal, too, has resumed his studies while Linor is preparing to embark on her academic career.

This war has been a major strain on my children. Having to contend with younger children in addition to worrying about the safety of their serving children in these tense and difficult times, has been a huge challenge.

The spouses of my grandchildren are also deserving of praise for providing their spouses with the encouragement and peace of mind to achieve their goals on the battlefield. I’m so proud of the way they handle themselves. These are the people who are winning this war for us.

My condolences to those mourning their nearest and dearest. My wishes to the injured for a complete and speedy recovery. May God protect our brave soldiers. May the hostages soon be reunited with their families.

Wishing you all Shabbat Shalom and better times ahead.

Am Yisrael Chai.

Harris Zvi Green






About the writer:

Harris Zvi Green was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Aged 77, he made Aliyah 53 years ago. An accountant by profession, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for a number of Israel based hi-tech companies. He is married to Phyllis. They have 3 married children ,13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Harris Zvi Green is a founder member of Truth be Told, an organization engaged in public diplomacy on behalf of Israel.






While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).