'He's Jewish? No, He Just Loves Israel': Argentine President Gets Hero's Welcome at Western Wall
Far-right Argentine leader Javier Milei, aka 'the guy with the massive hair,' drew a boisterous crowd Tuesday on the first stop of his three-day visit to Israel. 'We need more people like him – the whole world is against us,' explained one Israeli
Argentine President Javier Milei visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City on Tuesday.Credit: Ammar Awad/Reuters
Any worshipper visiting the Western Wall late Tuesday afternoon got to witness a spectacle: A growing crowd cheered "Am Yisrael, am Yisrael, am Yisrael chai" as a motorcade of sleek black cars pulled into the plaza at the second-holiest place to Jews. Curious onlookers flocked to the police barricade to get a peek at the arriving celebrity.
That celebrity was none other than new Argentine President Javier Milei, who was making the first stop on his three-day tour of Israel. It is only the second official international trip for the far-right libertarian, who has positioned himself as a firm ally of Israel since the Oct. 7 massacre, decrying Hamas and mourning the Israelis killed – some of whom were also Argentine citizens.
"He's over there," someone shouted. "In the black kippa!"
"They're all in black kippas, bro," the person next to him snapped back.
"He's Jewish?" someone leaning up against the barricade asked.
"No, no – he just loves Israel. He came to support us," a friend responded.
Argentine President Javier Milei praying at the Western Wall on Tuesday.Credit: Ammar Awad/Reuters
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Milei, who was raised Catholic, "a true friend of the Jewish people." And on Tuesday, the president reiterated his pledge to move Argentina's embassy from Herzliya to Jerusalem.
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Like Netanyahu, Milei has championed – and enacted – far-reaching overhauls since his election victory last November. He made over 300 changes to Argentina's economy, health care system and political order through an executive order shortly after becoming president, including placing limits on protests, cutting maternity leave and changing the price controls on medicine and food.
Also like Netanyahu, he has faced widespread public protests over some of his policies. He has promised a "free market revolution" for Argentina, which is in dire economic straits, but the plan is being held up by Congress. The courts, meanwhile, have blocked some aspects of his emergency order, saying that they leave workers vulnerable.
Most of the people at the Kotel, it seemed, had never heard of Milei before and were unaware of his political deeds. The increasingly boisterous crowd, which peaked at about 100, was attracted by the commotion, and maybe even the chance to get a selfie with or handshake from a world leader.
But there were others who had been waiting for him.
"He's going to save Argentina, and he is a light for the free world," said Yuval, who showed up early clutching a large Argentine flag.
Yuval, who is half-Argentine, said he admired the new president's economic outlook – "free markets, liberty" – and was wearing a shirt reading "technología capitalismo," which he explained as "a philosophy in which technology and free markets can lower prices across the board."
As Milei lit a memorial candle for the victims of the Oct. 7 attack, his sister, Karina Milei, who is the general secretary of the presidency, came to the barricades to shake hands and take selfies with fans and curious onlookers. In addition to his sister, the president was also accompanied by Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz as well as Milei's "spiritual guide" and confidant, Rabbi Axel Wahnish.
His itinerary, it seems, is studded with rabbis. In addition to Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and various Israeli government figures, he is also meeting with Israel's Ashkenazi and Sephardi chief rabbis, and several others, including the former chief rabbi of Nahariya, David Abuhatzeira.
It is unusual for world leaders – and particularly ones who aren't Jewish – to meet with rabbis who are not currently filling a leadership position, especially on a first official visit. Milei has professed a deep interest in the Jewish religion, though, going as far as to say that he has considered converting.
Bar mitzvah vibes
As is customary at the Western Wall, he was wearing a black kippa atop his outlandish muttonchopped mane. After lighting the candle, he made his way to offer prayers at the ancient stones. Security guards put up low barricades, blocking off a section of the wall for Milei and his entourage.
From the women's section, curious girls, mostly teenagers, stood on ledges to peek over the large metal barriers that separate them from the men. "It's the president of Argentina," one woman said while dismounting from the low step. "I don't know why everyone's so excited – I thought it was going to be a great rabbi or something."
The view of President Milei's visit to the Western Wall from the women's section on Tuesday.Credit: Linda Dayan
A group of magnificently loud teenagers were jockeying for position along the barrier of the women's section. Shirel, an 18-year-old from Argentina, was excited to see a political idol. "Milei can change the country – he's very good," she said, before glancing at her phone and shrieking with her friends: they were in the shot with the president and had made it onto TV back home.
The women praying silently at the wall did not seem to be as thrilled for them.
The mob of admirers and onlookers followed the president from the Kotel to his next stop, the entrance of the Western Wall Tunnels, chanting "Am Yisrael chai" and reaching out for handshakes. Both the setting and atmosphere – jovial, celebratory, congratulatory – suggested a bar mitzvah.
"It's very exciting to come and see the president. It's very special," said Gustavo, 32, who made aliyah from Argentina three years ago. "It's very emotional. He shook my hand." He admires Milei for his willingness to fight corruption and his transparency, he said. "He sees the reality of the country."
Milei was frequently engulfed by the crowd, cocooned by a layer of security guards, which was itself surrounded by a ring of photographers and videographers.
"Look for the guy with the massive hair," a young American yeshiva boy called to his friends. "Not like an afro, just huge!"
The group, made up mostly of young men, saw Milei off as he entered the tunnels' facade, cheering and celebrating. One even blew a shofar, a sound that would have been familiar to Milei as he often walks out on stage to the same accompaniment at his political rallies.
Argentine President Javier Milei waving to supporters during his visit to the Western Wall on Tuesday.Credit: Ammar Awad/Reuters
A mother, father and adult daughter stood off to the side, enjoying the sight. When asked if they would like to speak to the press, they seemed ambivalent. I asked their names and the daughter said, "Oh, I don't want to be intervie--"
"Sarit Franco," the mother interjected.
"We knew he was coming to Israel, but we didn't know he was coming to the Western Wall right now," answered the daughter who did not want to be interviewed. "We came down here, we saw him and we got so excited. We're really happy he's here."
She had seen Milei on the news and was familiar with him. "He supports Israel, he loves Israel and he's even going to convert to Judaism," the daughter said. (To date, Milei has not committed to converting to Judaism.)
Sarit, beaming from having gotten waved to by the president, asked her daughter, "You think he's good?"
"He really supports Israel," she replied. "We need more people like him – the whole world is against us."
Sarit interjected again: "And he's with us."
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