LA VOZ DE AZTLAN
Los Angeles, Alta California
August 18, 2006


Chavez of Arabia


Hugo Chavez Frias, the President of Venezuela, has won the "hearts and minds" of the Arab people. President Chavez accomplished this when he was the first head of state to condemn what he described as Israel's "aggression" and "genocide" against the Lebanese people. He was also the first head of state to recall its Ambassador from Israel in protest for that country's bombing of civilan targets in Lebanon.

According to Arabic newspapers, Venezuelan flags were flown in demonstrations in Beirut, next to Lebanese and Palestinian flags, Many prominent newspapers across the Arab World asked, "Why did't Arab leaders do what Chavez dared to do?"

Support for Lebanon and condemnation of Zionist Israel was also shared by many other Central and South American countries. Numerous pro-Arab demonstrations took place in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia. There is increasing support for the Lebanese and Palestinian people in Latin America.

Meanwhile Jews in Venezuela say they have received threats and are feeling quite nervous about the situation. Large scale security measures have been implemented in Caracas and Jewish leaders have made statements to the Venezuelan media accusing President Chavez of antisemitism. Many of the approximately 15,000 Jews who live in Venezuela are now making preparations to move to Israel.


A delegation of Jewish community leaders from Venezuela arrived in Jerusalem recently to explore options for Venezuelan Jews who want to leave and move to Israel. The delegation of 16 community leaders met with President Moshe Katsav in Jerusalem. The Jewish delegation told President Katsav of the growing unrest in Venezuela and their fears for the future of the 15,000 Jews living there.

The Jewish delegation, led by Freddie Pressner, President of the Confederation of Jewish Associations of Venezuela, visited a Tel Aviv University program for Spanish-speaking students and toured Kfar Saba, which has been designated by the Jewish Agency to absorb the growing number of Jews immigrating from Venezuela.

"The city of Kfar Saba is happy to be affiliated with the Venezuelan Jewish community," said Kfar Saba Mayor Yehuda Ben-Hamo. "I see this initiative as an important Zionist endeavor of which Kfar Saba is very proud." Ben-Hamo said that 25 families have settled in the city in recent months and that more Venezuelan immigrants are scheduled to make Kfar Saba their home this year.

Jewish Agency officials estimate there are around 2,000 Venezuelan Jews already living in Israel and that just over 100 Venezuelan Jews arrived here during the past year. "We expect that number to rise," one official said.

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