Jerusalem – Argentine President Javier Milei met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem this week, reaffirming his commitment to relocate Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem and formalizing new bilateral cooperation agreements. The high-level discussions, which took place on Sunday evening, April 19, and continued into Monday, April 20, focused on strengthening economic, technological, and security ties between the two nations. The meeting underscores a significant shift in Argentina's foreign policy under President Milei.
Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed President Milei, expressing gratitude for his steadfast support for Israel and his decision to recognize Jerusalem as its capital. "We are delighted with your decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move your diplomatic post there, and also, of course, an embassy," Netanyahu stated during their meeting. The leaders engaged in a one-on-one discussion followed by an expanded session with delegations from both countries.
A key outcome of the visit was the formal signing ceremony for new agreements, referred to by some officials as the "Isaac Accords," which aim to expand cooperation across various sectors. These include initiatives in economy, technology, security, aviation, and tourism, with direct flights between Israel and Argentina anticipated to further cement their relationship. Netanyahu emphasized, "Together with my friend, President Milei, we are expanding cooperation in economy, technology, security, and now also in aviation and tourism through a direct and fast connection."
President Milei's visit marks a continuation of his pro-Israel stance, first demonstrated during his initial state visit in February 2024, where he also met with Netanyahu. During that earlier visit, Milei announced his intention to declare Hamas a terrorist organization and voiced unwavering support for Israel's right to self-defense. He also toured Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, and visited the Western Wall, expressing deep emotional connections to Israel.
The commitment to move Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem has been a consistent pledge from President Milei since assuming office in December 2023. This diplomatic move aligns Argentina with a select few nations that have established their diplomatic missions in Jerusalem. The current visit and the signed accords signal a robust and expanding partnership between Israel and Argentina, reflecting shared values and strategic interests under Milei's leadership.
