Argentina’s Milei announces Israeli Embassy relocation to Jerusalem

Argentina’s President Javier Milei announces plans to relocate his country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move criticized by Hamas

In a significant diplomatic gesture, Argentina’s President Javier Milei announced plans to relocate his embassy in Israel to Jerusalem on Tuesday. This move, disclosed upon his arrival in Israel for an official visit, marks a pivotal moment in Argentina-Israel relations and underscores a notable alignment with Israeli interests.

On his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s Foreign Minister welcomed President Milei, the controversial figure on the Argentine political scene who won the election last year. Milei, known for his libertarian beliefs and often likened to former US President Donald Trump, declared, “My plan is to move the embassy to west Jerusalem”.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office welcomed Milei’s statement, emphasizing the fulfillment of a pledge discussed between the two leaders after his election. Netanyahu’s government sees this embassy move as a path to strengthening the relationship between Argentina and Israel, with both leaders set to discuss more cooperation.

The Jewish community in Argentina, one of the largest in Latin America, monitor these developments as Milei advances with his promises. Through his visit, he not only reflects on how deep Argentina and Israel’s history is but also suggests changes in regional diplomacy as well as global alliances.

On the other hand, this statement was met with harsh criticism from Palestinian groups and Hamas in particular, accused the move of violating international law as well as infringing on Palestine’s right to Jerusalem. This controversy brings to light the intricate and often contested nature of Jerusalem, a city held sacred by Jews, Christians, as well as Muslims alike, which lies at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The international community remains divided over the status of Jerusalem. Following the precedent set by the United States in 2018 under President Trump, the relocation of Argentina’s embassy challenges the longstanding consensus for a negotiated settlement regarding the city’s status. Israel considers the entire city its capital, while Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

President Milei’s bold step on the international stage reflects his unconventional approach to politics and diplomacy, potentially reshaping Argentina’s foreign policy and its implications for the broader Middle East peace process as Milei continues his international engagements, including upcoming meetings in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis, the global community watches closely to gauge the impact of Argentina’s diplomatic maneuvers on the volatile landscape of international relations.

Source: AFP