Buenos Aires split over renaming Palestine Street to Bibas Family Street
Feb 24th 2026
A council proposal to honor Shiri Silberman Bibas and her sons has divided Buenos Aires politicians and communities and put local identity against international politics.
- Council member Yamil Santoro proposed renaming Palestine Street to Bibas Family Street in honor of Shiri Silberman Bibas and her sons Ariel and Kfir.
- The family were taken hostage on October 7, 2023 and later died in the Gaza Strip; Hamas says they were killed by an Israeli strike while Israeli forensics dispute that account.
- The street has borne the name Palestine Street for many years and is located in Buenos Aires.
- President Javier Milei reportedly supports the renaming, but the Buenos Aires legislature holds the final vote and opinions there are divided.
- Supporters cite the Bibas family’s local contributions and ties to Argentina’s Jewish community as reasons for the change.
- Opponents, including members of the Palestinian community, say the move is provocative amid broader tensions over Israel and Palestine and could deepen local divisions.