The proposal to rename Palestine Street in Buenos Aires to “Bibas Family Street” has ignited a heated debate in Argentina, with strong opinions on both sides.
The proposal was introduced by Yamil Santoro, a member of the municipal council, in honour of Shiri Silberman Bibas, an Israeli-Argentine citizen, and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, who were taken hostage on October 7, 2023, and later died while in captivity in Gaza.
According to Hamas, the family died in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023, although Israeli forensics experts dispute this claim.
Palestine Street, located in Buenos Aires, has long been a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The Bibas family, however, was known for their strong support of Israel and their contributions to the local community.
The renaming proposal has sparked a broader debate not only over the family’s connections to Argentina’s Jewish community but also over the sensitive issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Reports suggest that Argentina’s right-wing President, Javier Milei, supports the renaming, though the final decision lies with the Buenos Aires legislature, where opinions are divided.
Milei has been a staunch supporter of Israel, and his family’s pro-Israel stance has drawn both praise and criticism.
The Milei family has long been active in promoting Israel’s interests in Argentina, including cultural events, business initiatives, and political advocacy. This connection has placed them at the heart of the current debate, which is particularly sensitive given Argentina’s large Palestinian diaspora and the broader regional political context.
Many in Argentina see the renaming of Palestine Street as a provocative act that could alienate the Palestinian community, especially given the widespread support for Palestine in Latin America. In contrast, members of the Argentine Jewish community and those in favour of closer ties with Israel back the initiative.
Although no final decision has been made, the outcome will depend on the negotiations between various interest groups and the local government’s ability to balance respect for the Bibas family’s legacy with the importance of Palestinian identity in the area.
