- Milei plans embassy move
- Netanyahu welcomes decision
- Hamas condemns announcement
While in Israel, Argentine President Javier Milei declared his intention to relocate his nation’s embassy to Jerusalem.
En route to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warmly greeted the 53-year-old economist, who defied political conventions to win last year’s election.
Apart from a brief stop at the Davos economic forum in Switzerland, Milei, during his first official visit since taking office, stated, “My intention is to move the embassy to West Jerusalem.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that he “warmly welcomes” the announcement, having discussed this with President Milei following his election and applauds the president’s commitment to fulfilling his pledge.
On Wednesday, Netanyahu and Milei, who share right-wing and libertarian views respectively and has drawn comparisons to former US President Donald Trump for the latter’s role in relocating the US embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, are scheduled to meet for talks aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.
Upon arrival, Milei visited the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in the historic Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.
During his visit, he will also tour a kibbutz and meet with the families of hostages taken by the Palestinian armed group Hamas during its October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in at least 1,139 deaths. Hamas, which governs Gaza, took an additional 240 people hostage.
Israeli Response Triggers Widespread Condemnation
In response to the Hamas attack, Israel launched a significant ground offensive and bombardment against Gaza, severely restricting access to food, water, and aid for the territory. This operation has led to the displacement of over 80% of Gaza’s population and the destruction of a large part of the region.
According to Palestinian authorities, the Israeli assault has resulted in over 27,500 deaths and more than 66,000 injuries.
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Hamas condemned Milei’s announcement “vehemently,” describing it as “a violation of international law and an infringement on the rights of the Palestinian people to their land, with Jerusalem being regarded as occupied Palestinian territory.”
Milei, who describes himself as an “anarcho-capitalist” and is known for his fiery rhetoric and distinctive sideburns, was raised in a Catholic household but has studied Jewish scripture. After his election victory in November, he visited the tomb of a revered rabbi in New York, a popular pilgrimage site for some Jews.
Argentina’s Jewish community, numbering around 250,000, is among the largest in Latin America.
Milei will travel from Israel to Rome on Friday for a private audience with Pope Francis and a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Despite previously criticizing his compatriot Argentine, Milei has recently softened his tone.
