Argentinian President Javier Milei announced Wednesday that his country will officially relocate its embassy in Israel from the Tel Aviv area to Jerusalem in 2026, marking a significant diplomatic shift and further solidifying his pro-Israel stance. The declaration was made during a special plenary session of the Knesset held in his honor, where Milei was met with enthusiastic praise from Israel’s top leadership.
Milei, on a three-day visit to Israel, received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, each lauding the growing bond between the two nations.
“Javier, you are a true friend,” Netanyahu declared. “This great distance between Buenos Aires and Jerusalem is compensated for by the closeness of our hearts.” He thanked Milei for his “unwavering support” during a time of war and terror, referencing Hamas’s October 7 massacre and the ongoing 21-month conflict in Gaza. “You stood with us in the battle against the forces of darkness,” Netanyahu added.
Milei, who had previously pledged to move the embassy during a February 2024 visit, confirmed the decision would take effect in 2026. He began his remarks with a solemn reflection on the Hamas-led terror attack that killed over 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages. “The tragedy of October 7 woke us up from a dream,” Milei said. “Argentina stands by you in these difficult days.”
He also rebuked the international community for what he called a manipulated narrative that turns “victims into perpetrators.” Addressing the issue of hostages, he pledged that Argentina would continue to demand their release, including four citizens of Argentinian descent.
The Argentinian president did not shy away from controversy, taking aim at climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was recently deported by Israel. “She became a hired gun for a bit of media attention, claiming that she was kidnapped–when there are real hostages in Gaza,” he said.
Transitioning to a more hopeful message, Milei praised Israel’s historic achievements, calling them “miracles.” He cited the establishment of the state after the Holocaust, Israel’s survival against repeated threats, and its transformation of barren land into flourishing agriculture. “You managed to grow food on land where nothing else grew,” he said, adding that Israel had become a beacon of democracy and innovation.
Milei concluded his address by reaffirming Argentina’s commitment to standing against terrorism and supporting democratic values. “When the sides are good and evil, there is no moral equality here,” he said. “Argentina will not stand on the sidelines. We will raise our voice in defense of fellow human beings.”
The visit marked a historic moment in Israel-Argentina relations, and leaders on all sides signaled that the partnership is entering a new era of strategic and moral alignment.
