Milei declares himself a "great friend of Israel" and Netanyahu thanks him for his intention to designate Hamas a terrorist organization

The president of Argentina, Javier Milei, emphasized his strong support for Israel during his visit to the country. He expressed his commitment to promptly designate Hamas as a terrorist group and relocate the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the new Argentine government for its unconditional support for Israel’s right to defend itself. The meeting between Netanyahu and Milei took place in Jerusalem, where Milei also engaged in other activities such as visiting the Holocaust Museum and touring the Old City.

During their meeting, Netanyahu and Milei discussed the shared challenges of peace and security in the region, particularly in relation to Iran. They expressed their desire for cooperation in the fields of security and diplomacy. The violent attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, supported by Iran, resulted in extensive casualties and kidnappings, including Israeli-Argentine citizens. Netanyahu commended Milei for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocating the embassy there, calling him a great friend of the Jewish State.

Milei confirmed his intention to transfer the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that has generated controversy in the international community. While the annexation of the eastern half of Jerusalem by Israel in 1980 led to embassies being relocated to Tel Aviv, the decision by former US president Donald Trump to reopen the US legation in Jerusalem in 2018 encouraged other countries to follow suit. Netanyahu and Milei also agreed to establish joint trade delegations and promote free trade between Israel and Argentina.

During his visit to the Holocaust Museum, Milei referred to Hamas terrorism as a modern form of Nazism. He called for the release of the kidnapped individuals and expressed disappointment in the lack of action from the free world in demanding their freedom. Milei planted a tree in the Forest of Nations as a symbol of his visit. He will also visit the Nir Oz kibbutz, which was heavily affected by the Hamas attack and where many Israeli-Argentines resided.