Argentine President Javier Milei told hundreds of students at Yeshiva University on Monday that he believes the United States and Israel will prevail in their war with Iran, during a speech on economics, faith and values as part of President Ari Berman’s “Great Conversations” series.
“Trump has ended eight conflicts, he has worked jointly with Israel, and today we see clearly what happened in Venezuela, we see clearly what is happening in Iran,” Milei said during a nearly two-hour address at the Wilf Campus.
“Therefore, I have no doubt that the United States and Israel will emerge victorious from this situation,” he added.
Milei was the featured guest at the event, titled “Ideas That Shape Nations: Economics, Faith, and Values,” which took place at 1 p.m. in Lamport Auditorium and was open to students, faculty and staff.
Introduced by Berman, Milei delivered his remarks in Spanish, while attendees listened to a simultaneous English translation through headphones.
Much of Milei’s address focused on economic policy and a faith-inspired vision of freedom. Elected Argentina’s 59th president in November 2023, he is known for his views on reducing government spending and deregulating the economy to address high inflation and fiscal deficits. Milei described how, to fix the country’s large budget deficit, he lowered the government budget as opposed to raising taxes and printing money, two measures Milei considered to be theft.
Before entering politics, Milei worked as an economist, commentator and member of Argentina’s national congress.
During the speech, Milei — who was raised Catholic but has frequently expressed admiration for Judaism — described himself as “the most Zionist president in the world.” He also referenced Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, whose grave in New York he has visited several times.
His visit to YU was the only university stop during a three-day trip to Manhattan that also included meetings at Argentina’s Consulate and an appearance at JPMorgan Chase before CEO Jamie Dimon and other senior executives.
Ahead of the event, Berman wrote on X that YU was “honored to welcome President Milei at a moment when economic leadership carries global implications.”
“He represents a distinctive voice in contemporary economic policy, undertaking structural change on a national scale,” Berman wrote. “For our students, the opportunity to hear directly from a leader confronting the realities of fiscal policy, monetary stability and institutional reform is both rare and invaluable.”
At one point in the event, he referred to Iran as an “enemy” of Argentina, citing the 1992 bombing of Israel’s embassy in Buenos Aires and the 1994 bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA), a Jewish community center in the city.
“They [Iran] found out that if you attack Judaism, if you attack Israel, then you break the basis for the capitalist system and Western civilization,” he said.
“What they [Iran] don’t realize is that you will never be able to defeat the Jewish people,” he added.
Milei arrived at YU accompanied by Karina Milei, Argentina’s secretary general of the presidency; Manuel Adorni, the presidential spokesman; and Pablo Quirno, the country’s secretary of finance, according to Román Lejtman, an Argentine journalist at Infobae — one of the largest digital news sites in Latin America — who was on site. A heavy police and U.S. Secret Service presence surrounded Lamport Auditorium, and attendees were required to pass through bag checks before entering.
The audience responded with several rounds of applause during the event. At one point, attendees rose to their feet and chanted “President! President!”
“Great Conversations” was launched by Berman in 2025 and is meant to bring prominent figures to campus. The series first speaker was psychologist Jonathan Haidt, followed by former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet and political commentator Douglas Murray, who is also YU’s new “Professor of Practice.”
During the question-and-answer portion of the event, Berman asked Milei what advice he would offer students in the audience.
“As the Rebbe used to say,” Milei replied, quoting Schneerson, “it wasn’t just about guidance to get from this point to paradise, but rather about bringing paradise to earth. When you work with passion, and you do so with faith and respect for values, the values of the Jewish tradition, that will not only lead you to success, but you will also be making a great contribution to the world.”
After the event, Milei told YU News that it was “a privilege” to be welcomed by the Yeshiva University community.
“Under Rabbi Berman’s leadership, the university has distinguished itself as a serious center of scholarship and principled inquiry,” he said. “Engaging with students who are studying economics, finance and public policy at a high level reflects the kind of intellectual exchange that strengthens both institutions and nations.”
Editor’s note: The Commentator mistakenly reported that Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) would also participate in Monday’s event. She is scheduled to appear at a later installment of the Great Conversations series.
Photo Caption: Argentine President Javier Milei and President Ari Berman
Photo Credit: Yeshiva University