In a festive ceremony held today at the City of David National Park in Jerusalem, in the presence of Argentine President Javier Milei, the Government of Argentina presented the City of David with a commemorative plaque highlighting the deep connection between the Argentine nation, the people of Israel, and Jerusalem. A similar plaque was dedicated by the United States in 2020.
During the ceremony, the Argentine president said, “The continued uncovering of history here and the future development of this city are of the utmost international importance.” Israel Prize laureate and Chairman of the City of David Foundation, David Be’eri, added,
“This important declaration serves as a moral and ethical compass for the entire world.”
The Republic of Argentina is the second country to place a commemorative plaque at the City of David recognizing the City of David’s international significance. In October of 2020, the United States of America recognized the City of David as an American Heritage Site.
After President Milei postponed his planned visit to the City of David yesterday due to health reasons, he arrived today (Thursday) at the City of David National Park and declared the site as one of significance to the Argentine nation.
During the festive event, a commemorative plaque was unveiled, bearing the inscription:
“In the City of David, the site of Biblical Jerusalem, where history and faith merge, we honor the eternal aspiration for liberty and justice. King David declared this city as the ultimate symbol of these values, a testimony to unwavering faith in God.”
The plaque continues:
“President Javier Milei has bravely defended the value of liberty, while celebrating the deep historical and ancestral ties with Israel. From this sacred place, we lift our prayers to the Creator, asking for wisdom, courage, and restraint for the President of Argentina, and blessings of prosperity for all his people.”
During the ceremony — attended by Argentine Foreign Minister Mr. Gerardo Werthein; Presidential Secretary Ms. Karina Milei; Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish along with his wife; Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar; Israel Prize laureate and City of David Chairman David Be’eri — President Milei stated:
“I came here today to declare the City of David, in Jerusalem, as a source of inspiration for the Republic of Argentina. The values upon which the Republic is founded — justice and liberty — were born here thousands of years ago. Today, we have the privilege of walking in the light of those same values. Visiting the City of David in Jerusalem inspires hope, as it reminds us that the world shares a common foundation: the roots of Judaism and Christianity, followed today by billions of people around the world, originate right here — from Jerusalem. This place is essentially the foundation of the entire world. The continued exposure of its history, along with its future development, is of the highest international interest.”
City of David Chairman and Israel Prize laureate Davidle Be’eri added:
“Especially in these times, as antisemitism is on the rise and the historical connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem is being denied, the declaration by the Government of Argentina carries great significance. This important declaration, along with the recognition by the United States of the importance of the City of David in Jerusalem, serves as a moral and ethical compass for the entire world.”
At the end of the visit, the City of David presented President Milei with a 2,000-year-old coin — dated to the year 67 CE, the second year of the Great Revolt — bearing the inscription in ancient Hebrew script: “For the Freedom of Zion,” another name for Jerusalem.
