On Monday evening, Gerardo Werthein was sworn in as Argentina's new foreign minister after President Javier Milei dismissed former minister Diana Mondino. In a unique aspect of the ceremony, Werthein took his oath on the Torah.
Mondino’s removal followed her vote in favor of a resolution urging the U.S. to lift its embargo on Cuba. “I want to be like Israel and the United States,” Milei declared shortly after announcing her dismissal.
At the swearing-in, President Milei, known for his admiration of Israel and knowledge of Jewish traditions, surprised attendees by commenting on the weekly Torah portion, “Lech Lecha.” He drew parallels between the portion and Werthein's new role, highlighting the significance of Abraham's journey and his mission to spread the values of life and liberty to other nations.
Addressing Werthein directly, Milei asked, “Mr. Gerardo Werthein, do you swear by God, the homeland, and the Torah to faithfully fulfill the role of minister of foreign affairs, international trade, and religions, and to uphold Argentina’s Constitution?” Werthein responded, “Yes, I swear.” Concluding the ceremony, Milei added, “If you fail to do so, God and the country will hold you accountable.”
In his closing remarks, Milei explained the choice to incorporate the Torah in the oath-taking: “Today, we took an oath on the Torah, making it fitting to speak about ‘Lech Lecha.’ This portion reminds us of Abraham’s responsibility to influence the world, connecting with nations and sharing the values of the Torah.”
* Ynet contributed to this article.