It is noteworthy that Argentina became a haven to Nazis fleeing Europe after WW II. Eichman and Mengele, for example. It is noteworthy that The "Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina" (AMIA; transl. "Argentine Israelite Mutual Association"), a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was bombed on 18 July 1994. Tomorrow is the anniversary of this horror.
Yet, Lionel Messi has made some pro-Israel statements and appearances as has President Milei. Given Spain's recent anti-Israel positions, I am rooting for Messi and the Argentines.
One thought occurred to me while I was reading it. Maybe one of the reasons Argentina and Israel have become such close friends is precisely because there's a natural understanding between the two countries.
Since Javier Milei took office, Argentina has been nothing short of outstanding in its support for Israel. It's refreshing to see a country stand on principle rather than political convenience.
My husband and I actually encountered what the author describes. We were having dinner in a lovely restaurant in Budapest when we were drawn into a conversation with the couple sitting in the table close by. From Mexico City, they were eager to finish and pay, so as to return to their hotel in time for the match. According to them, Argentina is a Jewish country, the Jews or Zionists fixed the match against Morocco, and Messi embodies the essence of Zionist evil. They're rooting for England, they informed us. Truly stunning.
Right!?! I keep thinking that when it comes to Antisemitic libel the blazing absurdity is exactly the point. The more ridiculous the better--it puts the accused in a bind...if we don't respond we look guilty, and if we do respond we are dignifying the accusation.
Oh, I responded! "So," I said, "your saying that Argentina is a Jewish country because of its president, that Messi is a bad guy because of the president?" Once I put it that way, they backed down. I forgot in the moment to remind them that Mexico in fact has an actual Jewish president. So, are they Jews? I'd have loved to see their reaction to that!
Good job. Duly impressed. Whenever I have those kinds of confrontations I only figure out what I should have said when I am trying to go to sleep that night.
Enjoy the angst this couple felt when Argentina defeated England. I do give Mexico a break though when it comes to Argentina, as Argentina has repeatedly defeated Mexico in World Cup play so there is lingering resentment.
Oppressor and oppressed? How are democracies to defeat the totalitarians without oppressing them? It's a conundrum.. a paradox.. a contradiction in terms.. we in the west must become fire to defeat fire... hmm.. just got the idea for another article.. thank you for a thought provoking commentary
As I always say, we must be Athens, Sparta when necessary, and then go back to being Athens. You are exactly right; we have to be tough . . . tougher than tough. It's really quite simple. You can't negotiate and be nice and diplomatic with barbarians. Doesn't work.
The author has glossed over Argentina’s support for the German Nazis, a country where democracy is not usually respected. Their football teams have a history of cheating. It doesn’t treat the indigenous people very well, nor the black population. As a Christian I support Israel’s right to exist, and think the war against Hamas is being well managed and quite restrained, but I don’t like some the land grab in the Middle East. Yes Jews do nee all the friends that it can get, but be careful what you wish for, maybe ask yourself why you are not very popular in many countries. You obviously know very little about football.
Argentina under Milei has turned itself around and is not the heavily anti Israel antisemitic country it was 30 years ago. Messi has been to Israel, visited the Western Wall, and despite hazings and attempts refuses to bend the knee to the Jew haters and utter the magic words "Free Palestine" or "From the River to the Sea" or get bullied into accusing Israel of the BS trio (genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing). Routing strongly for Argentina against the Jew hating country Spain in Sunday's World Cup final. Spain, a lovely country, inhabited by racists where Israel hate sentiment is more pronounced than in any other European country, and that is saying alot.
Ouch. I mean, when speaking of Israel there’s a number of very close similarities with Argentina.
-Both have committed genocide on a massive scale and don’t see a problem with it. Argentina eliminated their native populations, Israel with Palestinians.
- Both have a loving affinity for fascist, right wing governments, whether it’s a junta or Bibi.
- Both largely support themselves on foreign money, whether it’s the IMF or American taxpayers.
-Both are completely self-absorbed and would never dream of thinking of anyone but themselves.
- Both are profoundly disliked by the entire planet.
.... and Argentina was the first land the Nazis arrived to in 1945 through the Rat lines prepared well in advance and organized by by the Top Nazis and strongly supported by the Catholic church ...
True, but during the 1940s under Peron, Jews had rights are were protected by the Argentinian government. Nothing is quite black and white. "U.S. Ambassador George S. Messersmith visited Argentina in 1947 during the first term of Juan Perón. Messersmith noted, "There is not as much social discrimination against Jews here as there is right in New York or in most places at home..."
Great analysis! I think totalitarian style of thinking is more natural to humanity than the liberal one. In the last several decades, the liberal attitude seemed to have prevailed in the Global West (including Israel), yet now it is rapidly destroyed from both Left and Right (whatever these terms mean now). The liberal forces from the Center-right and the Center-left need to work together to defend the principle of free choice for individuals, instead of the all-powerful State sorting people based on their origin. This, of course, applies to Israel as well.
It is noteworthy that Argentina became a haven to Nazis fleeing Europe after WW II. Eichman and Mengele, for example. It is noteworthy that The "Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina" (AMIA; transl. "Argentine Israelite Mutual Association"), a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was bombed on 18 July 1994. Tomorrow is the anniversary of this horror.
Yet, Lionel Messi has made some pro-Israel statements and appearances as has President Milei. Given Spain's recent anti-Israel positions, I am rooting for Messi and the Argentines.
Ditto.
And it's a joy that those who hate Israel like Ireland, Norway , South Africa and Iceland have fallen flat on their faces.
Let's pray that God will gore the Spanish bull on Sunday ,and plant the Argentinian flag in the arena for the next four angry years!
Andres, excellent article.
One thought occurred to me while I was reading it. Maybe one of the reasons Argentina and Israel have become such close friends is precisely because there's a natural understanding between the two countries.
Since Javier Milei took office, Argentina has been nothing short of outstanding in its support for Israel. It's refreshing to see a country stand on principle rather than political convenience.
Thank you for another thought-provoking piece.
My husband and I actually encountered what the author describes. We were having dinner in a lovely restaurant in Budapest when we were drawn into a conversation with the couple sitting in the table close by. From Mexico City, they were eager to finish and pay, so as to return to their hotel in time for the match. According to them, Argentina is a Jewish country, the Jews or Zionists fixed the match against Morocco, and Messi embodies the essence of Zionist evil. They're rooting for England, they informed us. Truly stunning.
Right!?! I keep thinking that when it comes to Antisemitic libel the blazing absurdity is exactly the point. The more ridiculous the better--it puts the accused in a bind...if we don't respond we look guilty, and if we do respond we are dignifying the accusation.
Oh, I responded! "So," I said, "your saying that Argentina is a Jewish country because of its president, that Messi is a bad guy because of the president?" Once I put it that way, they backed down. I forgot in the moment to remind them that Mexico in fact has an actual Jewish president. So, are they Jews? I'd have loved to see their reaction to that!
Good job. Duly impressed. Whenever I have those kinds of confrontations I only figure out what I should have said when I am trying to go to sleep that night.
Yes. And then we are never confronted with a situation similar enough to use the perfect retort we created.
LOL, why didn't the Jews/Zionists fix it so that Israel would qualify for the World Cup? These people are lunatics. You should have told them so.
Imagine the hysteria and rage if Israel itself was actually in the world cup.
Enjoy the angst this couple felt when Argentina defeated England. I do give Mexico a break though when it comes to Argentina, as Argentina has repeatedly defeated Mexico in World Cup play so there is lingering resentment.
Oppressor and oppressed? How are democracies to defeat the totalitarians without oppressing them? It's a conundrum.. a paradox.. a contradiction in terms.. we in the west must become fire to defeat fire... hmm.. just got the idea for another article.. thank you for a thought provoking commentary
As I always say, we must be Athens, Sparta when necessary, and then go back to being Athens. You are exactly right; we have to be tough . . . tougher than tough. It's really quite simple. You can't negotiate and be nice and diplomatic with barbarians. Doesn't work.
What a wonderful and original take on all this
Compelling ,and hits the lazy and the evil ,right at our sweet spot!
Well done. Great insight!
Excellent. Thought provoking. There sure are a large number of terrible people in our world!
Great essay.
The author has glossed over Argentina’s support for the German Nazis, a country where democracy is not usually respected. Their football teams have a history of cheating. It doesn’t treat the indigenous people very well, nor the black population. As a Christian I support Israel’s right to exist, and think the war against Hamas is being well managed and quite restrained, but I don’t like some the land grab in the Middle East. Yes Jews do nee all the friends that it can get, but be careful what you wish for, maybe ask yourself why you are not very popular in many countries. You obviously know very little about football.
"Now that England and France have been eliminated there are no more Muslim countries in the World Cup."
Argentina under Milei has turned itself around and is not the heavily anti Israel antisemitic country it was 30 years ago. Messi has been to Israel, visited the Western Wall, and despite hazings and attempts refuses to bend the knee to the Jew haters and utter the magic words "Free Palestine" or "From the River to the Sea" or get bullied into accusing Israel of the BS trio (genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing). Routing strongly for Argentina against the Jew hating country Spain in Sunday's World Cup final. Spain, a lovely country, inhabited by racists where Israel hate sentiment is more pronounced than in any other European country, and that is saying alot.
Ouch. I mean, when speaking of Israel there’s a number of very close similarities with Argentina.
-Both have committed genocide on a massive scale and don’t see a problem with it. Argentina eliminated their native populations, Israel with Palestinians.
- Both have a loving affinity for fascist, right wing governments, whether it’s a junta or Bibi.
- Both largely support themselves on foreign money, whether it’s the IMF or American taxpayers.
-Both are completely self-absorbed and would never dream of thinking of anyone but themselves.
- Both are profoundly disliked by the entire planet.
Excellente. Muchas Gracias Andres! ⚽
Fascinating article that clarifies a lot.
.... and Argentina was the first land the Nazis arrived to in 1945 through the Rat lines prepared well in advance and organized by by the Top Nazis and strongly supported by the Catholic church ...
My source is the History2 series Hunting Hitler.
True, but during the 1940s under Peron, Jews had rights are were protected by the Argentinian government. Nothing is quite black and white. "U.S. Ambassador George S. Messersmith visited Argentina in 1947 during the first term of Juan Perón. Messersmith noted, "There is not as much social discrimination against Jews here as there is right in New York or in most places at home..."
Great analysis! I think totalitarian style of thinking is more natural to humanity than the liberal one. In the last several decades, the liberal attitude seemed to have prevailed in the Global West (including Israel), yet now it is rapidly destroyed from both Left and Right (whatever these terms mean now). The liberal forces from the Center-right and the Center-left need to work together to defend the principle of free choice for individuals, instead of the all-powerful State sorting people based on their origin. This, of course, applies to Israel as well.