At the conclusion of an extensive visit to the Holy Land, shluchim presented Argentinian President Javier Milei with a framed photo and Shekel bill from the Rebbe. Overcome with emotion, the president said that the Rebbe’s picture hangs prominently in his office.
During his historic visit to Israel, the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, revealed that he decided to affix a mezuzah at Casa Rosada (“the Pink House”), the official residence and office of Argentina’s President, to feel closer to the holiness of the Jewish people.
“Israel is so close to my heart, and that’s why I decided to put up a mezuzah on the Casa Rosada, to feel the sanctity of the Jewish people,” Milei shared. He humorously added that he fixed the mezuzah so firmly that removing it would require taking down the door. This was disclosed during a farewell meeting with Rabbi Chaim Oirechman, shliach in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who came to Eretz Yisroel to accompany the president on his special journey.
The farewell meeting also included Rabbi Moshe Oirechman, Rabbi Chaim’s father and the shliach to Krayot, Israel. Rabbi Oirechman mentioned that the president was deeply moved by his visit to Israel, stating, “He met with the Prime Minister, the President, and other senior officials, but for him, on a personal level, it was a very uplifting spiritual visit.”
Just before leaving for the airport to return to Argentina, Rabbi Oirechman gave the President Milei a personal gift: a framed picture of the Rebbe with an old Israeli fifty-shekel note, referred to as a “blessing note” by the Rebbe. The gift was specially arranged by the head shliach of Argentina, Rabbi Tzvi Grunblatt, and the head of Tzach in Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Aharonov. Upon receiving the note, President Milei shared with emotion that he also possesses a dollar from the Rebbe, which he received as a gift from his friend Danny Danon during a visit to the Rebbe’s Ohel in New York.
Touching the Rebbe’s picture, President Milei said, “I know him very well, I recognize him and feel him all the time; I have his picture hung in my office.” This statement underscores the deep connection Milei feels with the Rebbe, having visited his holy resting place several times before his election, and choosing it as the first place to visit shortly after his dramatic election victory.
Milei’s visit received extensive coverage in Argentina. During his visit to Nir Oz, he unequivocally supported Israel’s right to self-defense. “We strongly and unequivocally condemn these abominable acts and reaffirm our solidarity and support for Israel,” the Argentine president stated, with President Isaac Herzog of Israel by his side, “and again emphasize Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense. We will continue to act to demand the release of all hostages, regardless of their nationality. Of course, there are also Argentine citizens among the hostages, and this is a crime against humanity that must be rectified,” Milei emphasized.
“I want to end by thanking you for the hospitality and assure you that in Argentina, you have a president who is a true friend of yours. Thank you.”
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