A leaked account from Chabad influencer Rabbi Simon Jacobson has shed light on the unusually close religious connection between Argentine President Javier Milei and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an interview with the Hebrew paper K’rov Elekha, Jacobson said Milei showed him a private WhatsApp exchange between the two leaders after Jacobson struggled to believe it was real. Jacobson said he speaks with Milei daily and sends him Torah content by WhatsApp.
According to the screenshot Jacobson presented, Milei wrote Netanyahu, “Dear Bibi, I have a personal request from you.” Netanyahu replied, “With great pleasure, what can I do for you, Mr. President?” Milei then corrected him, saying, “It is not for me, it is for you, for the Jewish people,” and asked him to mention “the name of Heaven” more often in official speeches and appearances. Netanyahu said he already tries to include expressions of faith, but Milei pressed him further, saying it would bring “blessing and victory” to Netanyahu and the Jewish people.
Jacobson said the episode fits a broader pattern of Milei’s public affinity for Judaism and Chabad. He noted Milei’s frequent visits to the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in New York, his warm ties with rabbis, and his repeated statements about wanting to draw closer to Jewish values. Milei has reportedly described himself as a “Chassid and admirer” of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Jacobson also recalled asking Milei why he, as someone raised Christian, is so drawn to Judaism. Milei answered, “Why should I settle for a bad imitation if I have the original?” He added, “I want to learn from the best leaders. I want to follow in the footsteps of Abraham and Moses.” The article also says that during Milei’s visit to Israel last year, he gave Netanyahu a drawing of Netanyahu with the Rebbe, and that Milei recently addressed a large commemorative event in Buenos Aires marking Gimmel Tammuz, the Rebbe’s memorial day, alongside thousands of attendees and Chabad emissary Rabbi Tzvi Grinblat.
