In a significant diplomatic gesture that underscores his country’s support for Israel, Argentina’s newly elected President, Javier Milei, announced on his first day of visit to Israel that Argentina will move its embassy to Jerusalem. This decision marks a pivotal shift in Argentina’s foreign policy, aligning it more closely with Israel and recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
During his electoral campaign, Milei had promised to relocate the Argentine embassy from Herzliya to Jerusalem, signaling a strong stance on the contentious issue of Jerusalem’s status, which has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If realized, Argentina will join a small group of countries, becoming the sixth nation and only the second major country after the United States, to establish its embassy in Jerusalem. This move comes after the precedent set by then-President Donald Trump in 2017, which saw the United States embassy’s relocation, followed by Papua Guinea, Kosovo, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on a commercial El Al flight, Milei was warmly welcomed by Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz. Katz expressed his gratitude and support for Milei’s decision on X, celebrating the strengthening of ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also lauded Milei’s announcement during their meeting, emphasizing the significance of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the potential for deepening bilateral relations, especially in promoting free-market capitalism—a principle both leaders ardently support.
Netanyahu and Milei discussed various topics, including their mutual concern over Iran’s role in past terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires and their shared commitment to economic liberalism. Milei, known for his “anarcho-capitalist” views and efforts to reduce government spending in Argentina, found common ground with Netanyahu’s economic policies.
A staunch supporter of Israel, Milei has expressed his admiration for Jewish culture and has even considered converting to Judaism. His emotional response upon arriving in Israel highlighted the personal significance of his visit, which he described as fulfilling a promise to prioritize Israel in his diplomatic engagements. Moreover, Milei’s visit included symbolic gestures of solidarity, such as wearing a “Bring Them Home” dog tag necklace to advocate for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and visits to significant sites like the Western Wall and Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial.
However, Milei’s stance has sparked controversy, with Hamas condemning the embassy move as a violation of international law and an infringement on Palestinian rights. This bold diplomatic move by Argentina under Milei’s leadership has also set it apart from its neighbors, Brazil and Chile, whose leaders have criticized Israel’s military actions.
As Argentina prepares to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, the decision underscores a significant realignment in its foreign policy, reflecting a deeper commitment to Israel and potentially reshaping regional dynamics in Latin America’s approach to the Middle East conflict.
