Israel offers security help as Argentina absorbs Syrian refugees

Israeli parliamentarians offer to help with the absorption of 3,000 Syrian refugees in Argentina, stressing the fight against terrorism and the need to address the country’s security needs and those of its Jewish community.

“We understand the Argentinean desire to help with the global humanitarian crisis, but it is very important that terrorists don’t use this as a way to enter Argentina,” Israeli lawmaker Haim Jellin, an Argentina native, tells journalists.

Jellin is part of a mission of five Israeli lawmakers who on Friday signed an agreement of cooperation with Argentine Vice President Gabriel Michetti and Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra. The focus of the agreement is cooperation against terrorism.

Michetti tweeted Friday to his 765,000 followers a photo of himself with the Israeli lawmakers announcing that they will “strengthen commercial ties” with Israel.

Israel’s recently appointed ambassador to Argentina, Ilan Sztulman, says Israel “helps people who escape from the humanitarian crisis in Syria, we treat them in our hospitals, we share the attitude of helping them. But it is important that Argentina do this very carefully. Especially because Iranians and Hezbollah are already in Argentina and in the region,” Sztulman says in his first meeting with Argentinean journalists.

— JTA