As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau touched down in Argentina this week for a debut three-country tour, Latin American Jewish Congress President Adrián Werthein presided over the ceremony at the Hotel Alvear in Buenos Aires welcoming the official delegation.
At a briefing with Argentine businessmen on Tuesday, Netanyahu praised the vibrancy of the Jewish community in the country and said that he saw many commonalities between Israel and Argentina with regard to democracy and the innovation efforts.
He also noted that Argentina’s attitude toward Israel has grown stronger under President Mauricio Macri, becoming a relationship of true friendship.
LAJC President Werthein told the La Nacion newspaper that he was touched by Netanayahu’s enthusiasm and his support for the families of the victims of the 1994 AMIA bombing, which he commemorated during his visit.
Werthein and LAJC Executive Director Claudio Epelman also took part in an official lunch hosted by President Macri for the Jewish community and the Israeli delegation.
Netanyahu also warned Tuesday of the threat of Iranian terror and praised Macri’s efforts to “catch the culprits” behind the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires.
“The time has come to ascribe to Iran the complete guilt,” Netanyahu told a crowd which included Macri and Jewish communal leaders at the AMIA building.
Among those present were the main Jewish members of the national cabinet, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Sergio Bergman, and the Secretary of Human Rights, Claudio Avruj.
El Estado argentino anunció la entrega de un material muy importante para los judíos de todo el mundo. Mira de qué se trata. #Recordamos pic.twitter.com/CGo5GKDqdg
— Congreso Judío Latam (@CongresoJudio) 12 de septiembre de 2017