A Diplomatic Tango? Israel, Argentina, and Latin America
A Diplomatic Tango? Israel, Argentina, and Latin America
The relationship between Israel and Latin America has evolved through decades of diplomatic engagement, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and shifting geopolitical realities. Among Latin American countries, Argentina has played a particularly significant role, shaped by its longstanding diplomatic ties with Israel, its large and vibrant Jewish community, and its influence within regional and international affairs. This online event will explore the historical foundations and current dynamics of these relations, examining how political developments, regional priorities, and global trends have shaped interactions between Israel and countries across Latin America, and primarily Argentina. Panelists will discuss key moments in the relationship, areas of cooperation and contention, the role of diaspora communities, and address the future of these relations.
Speakers:
Dr. Raanan Rein is the Alexander Grass Chair in Jewish Studies at the University of Florida. He is a historian of modern Spain and modern Latin America, with an emphasis on the Southern Cone. He joined the University of Florida in August 2025 after teaching for many years at Tel Aviv University. Prof. Rein is the author and editor of more than fifty books and well over a hundred and fifty articles in academic journals and book chapters, in several languages. He is a member of Argentina's National Academy of History and former President of the Latin American Jewish Studies Association (LAJSA). The Argentine government awarded him the title of Commander in the Order of the Liberator San Martín for his contribution to Argentine culture.
Dr. Ariel González Levaggi is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Center for International Studies (CEI-UCA) at the Department of Political Sciences and International Relations, Catholic University of Argentina. He is the author of two books, and more than 50 articles and book chapters. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Levaggi is an Executive Board Member of the regional think tank CRIES (Coordinadora Regional de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales), Consultant Member of the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI), Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS, Washington, D.C.) and Senior Researcher at the Center for Strategic Naval Studies of the Argentine Navy.
Dr. Marta Tawil Kuri is a Research Professor at the Center for International Studies at the College of Mexico, where she teaches on Mexico’s relations with the Middle East, international relations, comparative foreign policy, and contemporary Middle East politics. She obtained her Master’s degree in Comparative Politics of the Arab and Muslim world and her PhD in Political Science and International Relations, both at the Institute of Political Sciences in Paris. She is the author of Syria: Regional Power, Legitimacy and Foreign Policy, 1996-2015, and co-editor of The End of a Secular Dream: Religion and International Relations at the Turn of the Century. She is a member of RIMAAL and of the board of the Mexican Association for International Studies.
The relationship between Israel and Latin America has evolved through decades of diplomatic engagement, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and shifting geopolitical realities. Among Latin American countries, Argentina has played a particularly significant role, shaped by its longstanding diplomatic ties with Israel, its large and vibrant Jewish community, and its influence within regional and international affairs. This online event will explore the historical foundations and current dynamics of these relations, examining how political developments, regional priorities, and global trends have shaped interactions between Israel and countries across Latin America, and primarily Argentina. Panelists will discuss key moments in the relationship, areas of cooperation and contention, the role of diaspora communities, and address the future of these relations.
Speakers:
Dr. Raanan Rein is the Alexander Grass Chair in Jewish Studies at the University of Florida. He is a historian of modern Spain and modern Latin America, with an emphasis on the Southern Cone. He joined the University of Florida in August 2025 after teaching for many years at Tel Aviv University. Prof. Rein is the author and editor of more than fifty books and well over a hundred and fifty articles in academic journals and book chapters, in several languages. He is a member of Argentina's National Academy of History and former President of the Latin American Jewish Studies Association (LAJSA). The Argentine government awarded him the title of Commander in the Order of the Liberator San Martín for his contribution to Argentine culture.
Dr. Ariel González Levaggi is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Center for International Studies (CEI-UCA) at the Department of Political Sciences and International Relations, Catholic University of Argentina. He is the author of two books, and more than 50 articles and book chapters. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Levaggi is an Executive Board Member of the regional think tank CRIES (Coordinadora Regional de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales), Consultant Member of the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI), Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS, Washington, D.C.) and Senior Researcher at the Center for Strategic Naval Studies of the Argentine Navy.
Dr. Marta Tawil Kuri is a Research Professor at the Center for International Studies at the College of Mexico, where she teaches on Mexico’s relations with the Middle East, international relations, comparative foreign policy, and contemporary Middle East politics. She obtained her Master’s degree in Comparative Politics of the Arab and Muslim world and her PhD in Political Science and International Relations, both at the Institute of Political Sciences in Paris. She is the author of Syria: Regional Power, Legitimacy and Foreign Policy, 1996-2015, and co-editor of The End of a Secular Dream: Religion and International Relations at the Turn of the Century. She is a member of RIMAAL and of the board of the Mexican Association for International Studies.