Ties with Israel
Ties with Israel
Driven by a profound love for the Holy Land and the knowledge acquired by studying the Sacred Scriptures, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos has been committed to strengthening ties with Israel and taking concrete actions that affirm its identity as a nation and its place on the world stage.
In 2016, he held the World Congress of Rabbis “For A Better World and the 7 Precepts of Noah,” in Buenos Aires, Argentina, alongside Dr. William Soto Santiago. With the blessing of the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Eliyahu Bakshi Doron, and the endorsement of other prominent religious leaders, as well as the support of the Knesset, esteemed rabbis from around the world participated in the convention.
World Congress of Rabbis, 2016
International Congress of Rabbis, 2024
After a period of ongoing engagement with various leaders, the International Congress of Rabbis convened once again in May 2024, in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, where rabbis from around the world gathered to study the Torah.
As a result of his years of dedicated work and the strong relationship of trust he has cultivated with the leaders of the State of Israel, Dr. Pérez Matos has recently been received on several occasions—not only by prominent rabbis in religious circles, but also within the military sphere.
In response to the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023, he visited the affected areas alongside senior military officials, witnessing firsthand the ongoing security challenges faced by the nation, the resilience of its people, and—above all—the profound anguish of the hostages’ families in the wake of the massacre and the inhumane conditions to which their loved ones are subjected.
Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos channels all his efforts in support of Israel through the Kingdom of Peace and Justice Center, an institution he founded and leads to advance ongoing global initiatives in support of the State of Israel.
In the political sphere, he frequently visits the Knesset to meet with ministers, members of parliament, and ambassadors, working to advance initiatives in support of Israel. With both short- and long-term goals in mind, his presence in the country is seen as that of a trusted friend, and every encounter carries a sense of familiarity, further deepening these important relationships.
Congress of Rabbis, October 2025
“As for peace, the secret lies in the land of Israel: Jerusalem. It is from there that peace is promised to come forth for Israel and for all nations. That is where we must dig, that is where we must work, so that peace may be established there under the Kingdom of the Messiah; and from there, may peace come forth for all nations,” he concluded.
Based on the different biblical references that Dr. Pérez Matos mentioned in his speech—in hich he aff irms that “all nations depend on peace being given to Israel”—he concludes by reporting on the work he has been doing to promote the idea that every nation’s embassy should be in Jerusalem. To achieve this, every person in every country must become an active participant in the pursuit of world peace.
At the closing of the Congress, he aff irmed that peace and teachings for mankind will come from Jerusalem; for which the restoration of faith is required, of “the good seed” that is sown in the soul to bring forth good, and thus, nullify the evil actions of mankind.
“We will never forget that wonderful Congress in Puerto Rico (…). Dr. José Benjamín Pérez, you have done a great merit. You had the great merit of bringing together the cream of the crop of rabbis and religious judges from Israel, both together. (…) The difference between then and now is that back then it was outside Israel: in Puerto Rico; now you had the merit of bringing them together in the and of their fathers’ inheritance: the Holy Land, the land of Israel: Here, along the Sea of Galilee!”
“Today, Dr. José works throughout Latin America to strengthen Jerusalem’s position among the nations of the world, to move embassies. He meets with different people, he gathers communities in large numbers. May the Holy One, blessed be He, reward him. (…) With God’s help, we hope that good things will come out of this Congress, that there will be fellowship, and that those who wait on the Lord will have new strength. And may we, with God’s help, merit the coming of our righteous Messiah.”
“We are privileged to be here with distinguished rabbis, distinguished religious judges, distinguished government representatives. (…) I wish you, Dr. José, health and happiness. May we merit, with God’s help, a year of redemption and salvation, collectively and personally.
“Our ancestors, the commentators, say that in the last days, with God’s help, in the redemption of Israel, the hekinah will truly return and dwell in the Holy Land, It will return to Jerusalem… (…). I want to thank Dr. José, who has great merit (…); he had the merit of investing in things of the Torah, in things of holiness. And, truly, this merit will remain with him. With God’s help, may we all merit that Shekinah.”
“Sometimes the Holy One, blessed be He, establishes decrees upon the people of Israel or upon the world, in order to build Jerusalem. Tribulations are what build Jerusalem. But there is also a way to build Jerusalem without tribulations: a congress such as this, a gathering place for the wise. When the wise men of Israel sit together, with the Shekinah among them, that is called building Jerusalem. Dr. José, may you enjoy many more years of good health. And you truly invest in what has real value, real value.”
“And in these difficult times, Dr. José is carrying out a sacred work in many countries. And I have seen his work with numerous ambassadors. And he does not give up, and it is difficult! But he breaks down another barrier, crosses another wall, and another country. And your tremendous project of bringing the embassies to Jerusalem: there is no doubt that Jerusalem is a city that is well united. We know this and recognize it with gratitude. May God grant you health and satisfaction for your entire family, and may you always have the merit of holding Torah meetings as powerful as these for many years to come.”
Visit to the residence of the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog
Visit to Yesod HaTorah Yeshiva
Friday, December 26, 2025
During a recent visit to Israel, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos visited Yesod HaTorah Yeshiva, located in Jerusalem and directed by Rabbi Moshe Bakshi Doron.
In the context of this visit to the renowned educational institution dedicated to instructing children and young people in Torah study and rabbinical training, the topic of the portion of Scripture relevant to that week arose naturally. This portion includes a pivotal moment in the life of the patriarch Joseph, when he reveals himself to his brothers.
Based on this passage, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos paused to discuss and share a reflection, giving rise to a brief spontaneous study with one of the yeshiva students, within the academic environment of the place itself. This exchange highlighted the value of the living study of the
Scriptures and respectful dialogue in spaces dedicated to spiritual development.
Rabbi Avi Shitrit was also present during this meeting.
The visit provided an opportunity to take a closer look at the work of Yesod HaTorah Yeshiva, as an educational institution where children and young people are educated with discipline, knowledge, and a sense of purpose, reflecting the continuity of Torah study and its spiritual relevance today.
