Renaming “Palestine Street” to “Bibas Family Street” in Buenos Aires: A multifaceted analysis

The city of Buenos Aires has become the epicenter of a heated geopolitical and cultural debate following President Javier Milei’s announcement supporting the renaming of “Palestine Street” to “Bibas Family Street.” This proposal, introduced by Buenos Aires City lawmaker Yamil Santoro, seeks to memorialize Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months), Argentine-Israeli citizens murdered by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks.

The initiative has ignited discussions about the intersection of collective memory, political symbolism, and Argentina’s evolving foreign policy stance. While the Milei administration frames this as a moral imperative to honor victims of terrorism, critics argue it unnecessarily politicizes urban topography and risks inflaming tensions in Argentina’s diverse community. The controversy unfolds alongside Argentina’s broader diplomatic realignment, including Milei’s efforts to relocate the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem and withdraw recognition of Palestinian statehood in UN votes.

Historical Context of Buenos Aires’ Urban Topography

Evolution of Street Naming Conventions

Buenos Aires, founded in 1536 as “Santa María del Buen Ayre,” has historically used street nomenclature to reflect political and cultural shifts. The city’s current naming practices emerged from successive waves of immigration and ideological changes, with avenues commemorating everything from independence heroes to foreign nations. “Palestine Street,” located in the Balvanera neighborhood, dates to the mid-20th century when Argentina sought to strengthen ties with Arab states through symbolic gestures. This practice paralleled other diplomatic namings like Avenida de Mayo’s statues of Latin American liberators.

Precedents for Controversial Renamings

The proposed change follows contentious precedents. In 1985, the military junta renamed streets honoring leftist figures, while democratic governments later reversed some changes. More recently, the 2012 renaming of a street honoring former Iranian cultural attaché Mohsen Rabbani – implicated in the 1994 AMIA bombing – to “Memoria de las Víctimas del Atentado” demonstrated how terrorism-related memorialization can reshape urban landscapes. However, no previous renaming has directly involved international recognition of a foreign conflict.

The Bibas Family Tragedy and Its National Resonance

Circumstances of the October 7 Abductions

Shiri Silberman Bibas, an Argentine citizen through her father José Luis Silberman, was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with her children Ariel and Kfir. Hamas fighters separated them from husband Yarden Bibas, who endured 16 months of captivity before his February 2025 release. Forensic confirmation of the children’s deaths came through DNA analysis of remains handed over during ceasefire negotiations, with Shiri’s body being identified earlier this morning (Saturday).

Argentina’s Collective Trauma

The case has become a national symbol due to several factors:

1. Youth of Victims: Kfir, the youngest hostage, became a global icon of vulnerability.

2. Dual Citizenship: The family’s Argentine roots – Shiri’s father was born in Buenos Aires, mother in Peru – made their fate a domestic issue.

3. Historical Parallels: Argentina’s experience with state terrorism during the 1976-1983 dictatorship created cultural sensitivity to enforced disappearances.

President Milei’s declaration of two national mourning days (February 21-22, 2025) included illuminations of the Obelisco, Planetario, and other landmarks in orange – a reference to the children’s hair color. The government released a statement: “Argentina demands the immediate release of all hostages and trusts that the terrorist group will be reduced to ashes.”

Political Dimensions of the Renaming Proposal

Legislative Process and Stakeholders

The bill, currently before the Buenos Aires Legislature, requires simple majority approval. Key players include:

• Proponents:

• Yamil Santoro (PRO party): “Essential to remember terrorism’s victims.”

• Sabrina Ajmechet (PRO): Condemned “deafening silence of human rights organizations.”

• AMIA Jewish Center: Called the murders “the darkest facet of terrorism.”

• Opponents:

• Centro Islámico de la República Argentina: Argues renaming punishes Palestinian-Argentines for Hamas’ crimes.

• Legislators from Frente de Todos: Propose alternative memorials like parks to avoid “zero-sum symbolism.”

Milei’s Geopolitical Calculations

The president’s support aligns with his broader foreign policy shifts:

1. Terrorism Designation: Argentina officially classified Hamas as a terrorist organization in January 2025.

2. Embassy Relocation: Ambassador Axel Wahnish already operates from Jerusalem despite the embassy remaining technically in Tel Aviv.

3. UN Voting: Ceased recognizing Palestinian statehood in multilateral forums.

Milei’s CPAC appearance during the mourning period, where he met Elon Musk and sought Donald Trump, underscores his alignment with right-wing internationalism.

Sociocultural Implications

Jewish-Argentine Identity Politics

Argentina’s Jewish community (230,000-strong, the region’s largest) has historically balanced visibility with caution following the 1994 AMIA bombing. The Bibas commemoration represents a departure toward assertive memorialization. AMIA’s statement highlighted: “Kfir and Ariel symbolize both Hamas’ hatred and our struggle for dignity.”

Palestinian-Argentine Community Response

The 120,000-strong Palestinian diaspora, concentrated in La Rioja and Tucumán provinces, perceives the renaming as collective punishment. Community leader Najwa Saadi noted: “Our street names shouldn’t be hostage to foreign conflicts.” Some propose compromise solutions like dual signage, as done with “Israel Street” in Córdoba.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Fallout

Israeli Government Position

Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Milei’s “moral clarity,” while President Herzog called it “a victory for civilized nations.” The Israeli Embassy hosted a vigil at the Obelisco illumination, attended by Ambassador Eyal Sela.

Palestinian Authority Condemnation

PA Ambassador to Argentina Husam Zumlot warned the move “erodes trust in the peace process.” However, Palestinian factions remain divided, with Hamas’ military wing releasing a statement mocking “Zionist attempts to erase Palestine from maps and memory.”

Global Human Rights Organizations

Amnesty International and HRW have remained silent, drawing criticism from PRO legislators. AJC Global Director David Harris countered: “Silence in the face of infant murder constitutes complicity.”

Comparative Global Perspectives

Similar International Cases

• Berlin: Repeated attempts to rename “Palästinastraße” failed despite Holocaust memory arguments.

• Lima: Changed “Israel Park” to “Peru-Israel Friendship Park” after 2006 Lebanon War tensions.

• Madrid: Maintains “Calle de Palestina” alongside Holocaust memorials under a “coexistence model.”

Conclusion: Memory as a Geopolitical Instrument

The Bibas street renaming debate encapsulates how urban topography becomes contested terrain in global conflicts. While proponents view it as a moral reckoning with terrorism, critics warn against reducing complex geopolitics to symbolic gestures. The outcome will likely influence Argentina’s role in Middle Eastern diplomacy and set precedents for how diasporas negotiate memory in multicultural societies. As Buenos Aires illuminates its landmarks in orange, the world watches whether cities can honor victims without deepening divisions. The final legislative vote, expected in April 2025, will test whether Argentina’s “never again” ethos extends beyond its borders into the fraught landscape of international toponymy.