Doubly Shocked

Although the overall situations in Argentina and the Netherlands are too disparate to warrant direct comparison, it can be said that the votes propelling Milei and Wilders to victory came not necessarily from a base of core supporters but rather from voters disenchanted with mainstream parties. And that is a phenomenon that has cropped up elsewhere: Populist parties are increasingly occupying a space historically reserved for leftist factions and funneling popular anger against ruling elites.

And there is another striking common thread: Both of last week’s surprise victors exhibit support for the State of Israel at a level rarely seen. Although right-wing politicians in Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States have campaigned for Jewish votes by declaring solidarity with Israel, in the cases of Argentina and the Netherlands, the connection is more pronounced. Both Javier Milei and Geert Wilders have forged exceptionally personal connections with the Jewish People.

Fed Up in Argentina

Javier Milei found fertile soil for his upset electoral win in the current Argentinean economic environment.

“In the context of the worst economic crisis since 1990, with an inflation rate approaching 150%, and at least 45% of the population living in poverty, if the candidate proposed by the ruling party is responsible for the economic turmoil, you’ll vote for anyone else,” sums up Argentine political analyst Nicolás Lucca in a conversation with Mishpacha.