On Wednesday night, Argentine President Javier Milei announced a national day of mourning following the return of the remains of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas Z”L to Israel. This day will take place once official DNA verification regarding their identities is received. Ariel and Kfir, who held dual citizenship from Argentina, had become an international symbol representing the evil of Hamas.
Messages of Support and Orange Hearts
Sabrina Ajmechet, the President of the Argentine Commission for Human Rights, addressed the deaths of Ariel and Kfir in a post on X: “Two Argentine babies were murdered by Hamas terrorism,” she wrote, accompanying her post with orange hearts, representing the vivid hair color of the Bibas children. “I hope I never have to hear again that events in Israel and Gaza do not concern us all.” Additionally, in a separate post, Agmecht noted that once definitive DNA identification is made, a national day of mourning will be held in Argentina.
The post included a letter from the Argentine PRO party stating:
“We condemn the brutal murder of the Bibas family by the terrorist organization Hamas. From the bloc of PRO congressional members, we express our deep sorrow and sadness upon receiving confirmation that tomorrow, the terrorist organization Hamas will deliver the lifeless bodies of three Argentine citizens: Shiri Silverman Bibas (32), Ariel Bibas (4), and Kfir Bibas (9 months). The mother and her two children were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and murdered solely because they are Jewish. Their stories will not be forgotten and will live on forever in the call for justice from all of Argentine society.
We stand with the family and their loved ones in this difficult time, demanding the immediate release of all remaining captives held by terrorism.”
Argentina and Israel’s Strong Partnership
Last month, the Argentinian president visited Israel and announced that he would return again in March. Milei is known for expressing strong and open support for Israel on the international stage. In this context, he has instructed his representatives in international institutions to vote in favor of Israel and appointed Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish as ambassador to Israel. During the “Swords of Iron” war, Milei became one of the prominent voices to publicly support Israel.
