Argentine bill seeks to rename ‘State of Palestine’ street after murdered Bibas family
The proposed name change in Buenos Aires would honour murdered Argentine-Israeli mother and children amid warnings and political pressure
Buenos Aires lawmakers are considering a bill to change the name of the capital’s ‘Estado de Palestina’ (State of Palestine) street to ‘Familia Bibas’ street, in memory of the Argentine-Israeli mother and her two young children murdered by Hamas in captivity
The proposal was introduced by city legislator Yamil Santoro and would commemorate Shiri Bibas and her sons Ariel, four, and Kfir, who was just nine months old when the family was abducted from their home in southern Israel. All three were later confirmed to have been murdered in captivity. The father of the family, Yarden, was kept alive as a hostage, and was released after 484 days in captivity – during which his Hamas guards reportedly tormented him over the fate of his wife and children.
The Bibas family became one of the most haunting symbols of the Hamas attacks, after images of Shiri clutching her red-haired sons circulated around the world. For months, Jewish communities globally held vigils and campaigns calling for their release, with orange balloons and clothing – referencing the boys’ hair – becoming a symbol of solidarity and hope.
Both children held Argentine citizenship, a fact that has given the case particular resonance in Argentina, home to the largest Jewish community in South America.
Supporters of the bill say the proposed name change is not only a memorial to the Bibas family but also a broader statement against terrorism, rooted in Argentina’s own history. The country was the site of the 1994 AMIA Jewish centre bombing in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people and injured hundreds. Argentine courts have blamed Iran and Hezbollah for the attack.
Explaining the rationale behind the proposal, Santoro said Palestinian leadership had allowed terrorist groups to define its national identity. “I don’t think Buenos Aires should be recognising such an entity,” he said.
Jewish organisations backing the initiative have said city officials involved have faced threats and intimidation since the bill was introduced. Nevertheless, Buenos Aires mayor Jorge Macri has continued to express support for Israel. His cousin, former president Mauricio Macri, strengthened ties with Israel and the United States during his time in office.
At the national level, President Javier Milei has taken one of the most openly pro-Israel positions of any Latin American leader. He declared a national day of mourning for the Bibas children and became the first Argentine president to visit Israel during wartime, making it his first official overseas trip. During the visit, he pledged to move Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem.
The bill remains under consideration and has not yet been approved by the Buenos Aires city legislature. A debate is expected on 1 March.
If passed, the measure would represent one of the most high-profile symbolic responses by a major world city to the murder of the Bibas family, supporters say – ensuring their names are permanently remembered in the heart of Argentina’s capital.
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