![Milei's embrace of Israel](https://cdn.magzter.com/1704825715/1717912182/articles/ziNajJwFx1717931262294/MILEIS-EMBRACE-OF-ISRAEL.jpg)
Argentine President Javier Milei prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City in February. Although born and raised Roman Catholic, Milei has increasingly shown public interest in Judaism.
At the base of the sacred Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, President Javier Milei of Argentina appeared to be in a spiritual trance.
With head and hands pressed against the ancient stone, he prayed with the Orthodox rabbi who introduced him to Judaism three years ago. Although born and raised Roman Catholic, Milei has increasingly shown public interest in Judaism and even expressed intentions to convert.
Stepping back from the wall, Milei broke down. He hugged Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish close, sobbing onto his shoulder.
“In that moment, I felt proud that we have such a determined leader, with such deep spiritual values,” Wahnish told The Associated Press in a recent interview, recalling their state trip to Israel in February.
For many Argentines, that pride was fraught with peril.
Breaking decades of policy precedent, Milei has gone further in his support of right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government than perhaps any other world leader as Israel faces growing isolation over its bombardment and invasion of Gaza that has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians and pushed the enclave to the brink of famine.
His posture could not stand in starker contrast to most of Latin America — Bolivia and Colombia have severed ties with Israel and at least five regional countries, most recently Brazil, have pulled ambassadors from Tel Aviv.
This story is from the June 09, 2024 edition of Toronto Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 09, 2024 edition of Toronto Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![The immortality of vampire films](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/03dgT_GRe1720088028586/THE-IMMORTALITY-OF-VAMPIRE-FILMS.jpg)
The immortality of vampire films
Anew Canadian entry puts an idiosyncratic spin on the mythology of the undead
![WHAT directors WEAR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/y8aWcG8js1720087871307/WHAT-DIRECTORS-WEAR.jpg)
WHAT directors WEAR
In a new book from A24, the elements of auteur style get a close-up
![Life and death and robots](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/j8ooIVTPQ1720087675610/LIFE-AND-DEATH-AND-ROBOTS.jpg)
Life and death and robots
Rashida Jones dives into grief, loneliness and living with AI in Sunny’
![Argentina loaded without Messi](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/R4gWBVb7a1720087555916/ARGENTINA-LOADED-WITHOUT-MESSI.jpg)
Argentina loaded without Messi
Superstar will be game-time decision against Ecuador in the quarterfinals
![Ejim is a leader but no lock](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Z8tsG2SWN1720087490580/EJIM-IS-A-LEADER-BUT-NO-LOCK.jpg)
Ejim is a leader but no lock
As Canada pares camp roster, seven contenders remain for three jobs
![Final goes through Atlantic](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Z8fGWt19l1720087359716/FINAL-GOES-THROUGH-ATLANTIC.jpg)
Final goes through Atlantic
Leafs making solid moves, but so are the Panthers, Lightning and Bruins
![Andreescu shows mental toughness](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/pdwoeR50J1720087248772/ANDREESCU-SHOWS-MENTAL-TOUGHNESS.jpg)
Andreescu shows mental toughness
Deft, straight-sets win over Noskova propels Canadian to third round, matching personal best
![Reaching for the stars](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/UDLo37GXV1720087038212/REACHING-FOR-THE-STARS.jpg)
Reaching for the stars
Guerrero is an all-star starter again after jump-starting his bat
![Rental demand still outpaces supply despite new starts](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/E2cTJo9MT1720086936222/RENTAL-DEMAND-STILL-OUTPACES-SUPPLY-DESPITE-NEW-STARTS.jpg)
Rental demand still outpaces supply despite new starts
RBC says more developments needed to fill backlog
![LCBO strike looms as talks go down to the wire](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1754785/Hk5FwpB5G1720086803190/LCBO-STRIKE-LOOMS-AS-TALKS-GO-DOWN-TO-THE-WIRE.jpg)
LCBO strike looms as talks go down to the wire
Union fighting against province's decision to expand alcohol market