Two Jews Elected As Governors in Argentina; Six to Parliament

For the first time in Argentine history Jews were elected governors of two provinces and six were elected to the Argentine Parliament, it was learned here today as counting of ballots in Sunday’s national elections was virtually completed. In addition, at least three other Jews are expected to hold high posts in the government of President-elect Arturo Frondizi.

Elected Governor of Formosa, a province in northeastern Argentina bordering on Paraguay, was Dr. Luis Gutnisky, 45. A physician who all his life has been active in the Jewish community and has been president of the Jewish Community of Formosa, Dr. Gutnisky is native-born of immigrant parents who came to this country from Bessarabia.

The Governor-elect of Neuquen Province, which is in east central Argentina bordering on Chile, is 55-year-old native-born Angel Edelman, Virtually unknown in Jewish circles, Sr. Edelman is a long-time member of the Radical Party, chairman of the party in his province and a newspaperman.

Five of the six Jews elected to Parliament are from Buenos Aires province and the sixth, a woman, Mrs. Berta Ferrari, was elected from Cordoba Province. One of the five men from this city, Manuel Belnicoff, was named on the slate of unsuccessful presidential candidate Dr. Ricardo Balbin; the other four were swept into office with Sr. Frondizi. They are:

Isaac Breyter, an engineer and former secretary of the Zionist Federation of Argentina who resigned his Zionist post in order to devote all his energies to the campaign. Zenon Goldstrj, a lawyer whose parents were colonists and who has been active in the agricultural cooperative movement. Simon Junin, who also grew up in an Entre Rios Colony. Dr. Edouardo Rosenkrantz, a lawyer and Zionist youth leader.

Sr. Belnicoff, a newspaperman, is a long-time member of the Radical Party and distinguished himself as an opposition member of Parliament during the Peron regime. He served as secretary of the Buenos Aires municipal government during the present provisional regime of President Pedro Aramburo.

The newspaper Razon today speculated that David Blejer might be named to Sr. Frondizi’s Cabinet as Deputy Secretary for Interior. It is also anticipated that Miguel Schmukler, one of Sr. Frondizi’s campaign managers, will have a high post at Government House after May. Dr. Mariano Wainfeld, one-time provincial health minister, a physician and active in Jewish circles as well as secretary general of the Radical Party, is also expected to be named to a top position.