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BUENOS AIRES (JTA) — Newly-elected Argentine President Javier Milei spoke on Thursday on the opening ceremony of the Pan American Maccabi Video games, a world event for Jewish athletes.
Over 10,000 folks attended the two-hour occasion at Movistar Enviornment in Buenos Aires, situated within the metropolis’s Villa Crespo neighborhood, which is historically related to the native Jewish neighborhood.
A handful of nations from exterior of North and South America despatched athlete delegations, together with Australia, Nice Britain, France and Zimbabwe. Israel’s delegation — pared down in measurement because of the aftermath of the Oct. 7 assaults — obtained a particular welcome.
“I desire a heat greeting to all of the Jewish folks and particularly to those that have household or family members close to the entrance strains,” stated Milei, referencing the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. His feedback drew a number of standing ovations. “I accompany you on this tough second and I wish to ratify at this second my unalterable dedication to the state of Israel and to the Jewish folks of their battle towards Islamic terrorism, for peace and freedom.”
He additionally referenced the Hanukkah story, as he did in his inauguration speech, and added some phrases in Hebrew.
“Many instances I’ve stated that I didn’t come to information lambs, however to awaken lions. I see within the Maccabean Video games this spirit of excellence and braveness,” he stated. “Due to that, I say to the athletes ‘Chazak ve’ematz’ [‘be strong and courageous’].”
The ceremony included a somber prayer in reminiscence of these killed on Oct. 7, led by Romina Schvalb from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her brother-in-law, Ruben Engel, was killed within the Hamas assaults.
Different outstanding attendees included Argentine Vice President Victoria Villaruel; the U.S. and Israeli ambassadors to Argentina, Marc Stanley and Eyal Sela; and the mayor of Buenos Aires, Jorge Macri.
“I’ve numerous expertise in Maccabi video games, however this time was particular. The entry of the Israeli delegation was… our coronary heart exploded,” stated Riki Kanterevicz, Maccabi World Union’s vice chairman and the chairman of Israel’s delegation, in a TV interview. “I wish to thank the neighborhood that was within the stadium for this heat reception.”
Milei, a right-wing former economist who has already begun enacting sweeping modifications to the nation’s monetary system, shouldn’t be Jewish — however he has a passionate curiosity in Judaism. He has talked about learning with a rabbi and doubtlessly changing to the faith. For his first journey overseas since being elected final month, he visited the tomb of the Lubavitcher rebbe in New York.
The Pan American video games began in 1950 and happen each 4 years. Argentina was additionally host in 1995 and 2007.
In 2022, Joe Biden grew to become the primary U.S. president to make an look at a Maccabi event, on the flagship Maccabiah Video games in Israel.
Most of the video games within the present event may be considered through this YouTube channel.
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