Photo by
Yoav Dudkevich/TPS-IL on 12 June, 2025
‘People Here Love Him Because He Loves Israel’: Students Give Argentine President a Rock Star Welcome
Jerusalem, 12 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Argentine President Javier Milei was greeted by a crowd of eager students and staff during a visit to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Thursday, where his reputation as a vocal friend of Israel drew strong interest — and limited access. Though only 150 attendees were allowed into the packed lecture hall to hear Milei speak about Argentina’s economic turnaround and his pro-Israel stance, hundreds more gathered outside.
Despite invitations to hear the Argentinian president speak being sent to the whole university community, only 150 people, including Milei’s entourage could fit in the lecture hall, disappointing many who anticipated the visit.
“When I heard about it, I said I’ll do whatever it takes to get it, but I wasn’t able to get in the hall and hear the speech,” alumna Dana Betzer told The Press Service of Israel. “It ended up being in a very small hall,” said Dana, “There just wasn’t room to get in.”
When asked about the reason for coming to meet the Argentinian president, many students were excited to meet an important figure and a friend to Israel, “I know he’s very important and an influential president and currently very relevant, not necessarily because of his opinions – that’s a separate matter,” said Arik Ben-Tor, a Mexican-Israeli student.
Said Milei, “My policy is one of peace and free trade, and I have defined my key allies – the United States and Israel.”
Recounting one particular moment from his presidential campaign, Milei told the students, “While touring one of the neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, a young boy came up to me and handed me a white cloth on which he had drawn the Israeli flag with a Star of David. I want to tell you – this is the most moving flag I have ever received.”
Norma Ruth Gurevich, a worker in the campus’ botanical garden who immigrated from Argentina 20 years ago told TPS-IL she wanted to hear President Milei’s speech because he is also her president.
“Truly, people here love him,” Gurevich said, “And why? One, because he loves Israel, and I believe he’s the only president who’s a friend of Israel, both in good times and bad, from what I know.” Norma said she believes Milei is also good for Argentina. “People kind of got too used to the old ways. Obviously, I haven’t lived in Argentina for many years, but I keep up to date. And his ideas are spot-on.”
A few students with Palestinian flags protested Milei’s visit. One shouted, “Nazis! You are all Nazis!” Campus security distanced the protesters from the event without incident.
Milei received the Genesis Prize and addressed Israeli lawmakers at the Knesset on Wednesday evening. He vowed to relocate Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem. “We want to honor the historic friendship that unites our peoples and strengthens the commercial and diplomatic ties between us,” Milei told the lawmakers to thunderous applause.
Milei also visited the families of the hostages and is expected to formally announce the establishment of a new direct flight route between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires.
