In Israel, Milei ratified his plan to take the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem

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President Javier Milei ratified this Tuesday one of his main definitions in terms of foreign relations: as soon as he arrived in Israel, he confirmed his plan to move the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv “to West Jerusalem.” On the first of three days he will stay in Israel before moving to Italy, the final point of his tour that will close with an audience with Pope Francis, Milei visited the Western Wall, and met with his local counterpart, Isaac Herzog.

“For me it is a pleasure, it is an honor to be here,” said Milei at the foot of the steps of the Israeli airline El Al plane, while being received by Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz.

In the video broadcast through unofficial social networks, Milei is heard evaluating “the legitimate defense of Israel” with respect to “the Hamas terrorists,” and recalled that his “plan is to move the embassy” from Argentina “to Jerusalem.” Western”, as he promised during the presidential campaign.

Katz published a thank you on his social networks to Milei for “affirming the transfer of the Argentine embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the Capital.”

“Long live Libertad Carajo!”, the diplomat closed his message on his social network account.

According to the Télam agency, the President remains firm in his decision to include Hamas in the list of organizations that the national State recognizes as terrorists: “He cannot do it while he is abroad. But it is in the plans,” said a government source.

Shortly after President Milei’s statement was made known, Hamas stated that it “strongly condemns” the plans to move the embassy in Israel that Argentina currently has near Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

According to the AFP news agency, Hamas considers that this transfer implies “a violation of the rights” of the Palestinian people “to their land, and a violation of the norms of international law, considering Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian land.”

If the move of the diplomatic headquarters is confirmed, Argentina would join three other countries that did the same previously (Guatemala, Papua New Guinea and the United States).

In Jerusalem Milei held a meeting with President Herzog to “deepen relations between both countries,” according to the Argentine government.

“During the meeting, the Israeli Presidency Orchestra sang the anthems of both countries and the leaders exchanged gifts,” it was officially reported.

The Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei, joined this bilateral meeting; Foreign Minister Diana Mondino and the designated ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Axel Wahnish, members of the delegation accompanying the President.

Earlier, together with Rabbi Wahnish, Milei had visited the Western Wall, where he said a prayer. As could be seen in videos replicated by official accounts, after the prayer, Milei, very moved, and the rabbi hugged each other.

Almost at the end of the day, the official account of President Milei alluded to the death of the former president of Chile, Sebastián Piñera on the social network the sister Republic of Chile. I deeply regret his death and I wish to send our condolences on behalf of the Argentine people to his family and friends, as well as to all the Chilean people.”

With his visit to Israel, Milei ratifies his political alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he will visit this Wednesday. The UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) has just demanded that Israel “take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of genocide” in the Gaza Strip. Different international organizations estimate more than 25 thousand deaths, most of them civilians, caused by the bombings of the Israeli air force.

After a private meeting with businessmen in Jerusalem, President Milei will meet alone with Netanyahu. It was reported that the meeting will later be extended to the Argentine delegation.

Later, Milei will take a guided tour of the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem), plant a tree in the Keren Kayemet LeIsrael Forest of Nations, and visit the Old City of Jerusalem.

He will also hold meetings with Mexican businessmen Isaac Assa and Israeli Simon Falic, and with rabbis Itzjak Yosef, David Lau and David Abujatzera.

Foreign Minister Mondino will hold meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Yisrael Kat, and with the Ministers of Science and Agriculture, Ofir Akunis and Avi Dichter.

For Thursday, Milei’s agenda includes a blessing ceremony with Rabbi Osher Vai, a visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz and a meeting with relatives of those kidnapped by Hamas. The delegation’s farewell will take place at the Wailing Wall (Kotel Hamaaraví-Western Wall).

Milei will travel to Italy on Friday, where the Minister of the Interior, Guillermo Francos, will join the delegation; the Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello, and the Secretary of Worship, Francisco Sánchez. In addition, around thirty Argentine businessmen will travel who, as clarified by the Government, will pay for their own travel and accommodation. On Sunday, the delegation will participate in the canonization ceremony of María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, known as “Mama Antula”, the first Argentine saint.

On Monday the 12th, the last of the tour, Milei will have an audience with Pope Francis and a meeting with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin. She will then meet with the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, and in the afternoon she will hold a meeting with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni.