Portrait of Javier Milei
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Javier Milei on Israel

Staunch ally and supporter (strong)

Javier Milei, as President of Argentina, has established a position of staunch support and close alignment with Israel as a central tenet of his foreign policy. This rapprochement marks a significant shift from Argentina's traditional diplomatic stances, prioritizing ties with Israel and the United States.

His support for Israel has been vocal and consistent, particularly during the Gaza war, where he has expressed unwavering backing for the nation. This has translated into specific diplomatic actions within international forums and bilateral relations.

Key expressions of this support include recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization and planning to move the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem. Milei has also been personally recognized by an Israeli institution for his commitment, underscoring the depth of the bilateral relationship he seeks to foster.

Context

Javier Milei's foreign policy has notably prioritized closer relations with Israel and the United States, a significant departure from the more complex or non-aligned stances of previous Argentine administrations. This alignment is driven by Milei's ideological commitment against what he terms global socialism and communism.

His strong support for Israel is framed within his broader worldview, where he sees Israel as a partner in the fight against what he perceives as radical ideologies globally. This focus on Israel contrasts with his criticisms of other regional leaders whom he labels as leftist or communist.

Timeline

  1. Began his presidency with a foreign policy that advocates closer relations with Israel.
  2. Conducted a state visit to Israel, where he announced plans to relocate the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
  3. Declared Hamas a terrorist organization, during the ongoing Gaza war, and directed Argentina's UN delegation to vote against Palestine's UN bid.
  4. Declared two days of national mourning following the return of the bodies of Argentine citizens killed in a Hamas attack.
  5. Addressed the Knesset, officially confirming Argentina's intention to move its embassy to Jerusalem.
  6. Received the Genesis Prize, dubbed the "Jewish Nobel," for his support of Israel, dedicating the award money to deepening ties between Israel and Latin America.
  7. Designated Iran as an enemy of Argentina and celebrated Israeli strikes against Iran.

Actions Taken

  1. Diplomatic Visit
    Made a state visit to Israel, including a visit to a kibbutz attacked by Hamas.
  2. Official Designation
    Declared Hamas a terrorist organization.
  3. Un Vote Directive
    Ordered the Argentine delegation at the UN to vote against the incorporation of the State of Palestine into the United Nations.
  4. Diplomatic Policy Shift
    Announced plans to relocate the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem during his visit.
  5. Public Statement
    Celebrated Israeli strikes on Iran, framing it as a victory for 'Western civilization.'
  6. Diplomatic Confirmation
    Confirmed to the Knesset that the embassy move to Jerusalem will effectively take place.

Key Quotes

"today is a great day for Western civilization".

Interview June 20, 2025 — Stated while celebrating Israeli strikes on Iran.

Related Positions

  • United States Alignment Milei advocates closer relations with the US, and his support for Israel is part of this broader pro-Western, anti-socialist foreign policy axis.
  • Iran Milei has explicitly labeled Iran as an enemy of Argentina, citing past terrorist attacks, which directly relates to his support for Israel's security concerns.
  • Diplomatic Reversal His policy is a radical break from Argentina's traditional, often non-aligned or Peronist-influenced, foreign policy.