Argentinian President Javier Milei arrived in Israel on Tuesday ahead of the Argentinian head of state’s promised relocation of the country’s embassy to Jerusalem, the Foreign Ministry announced. Upon landing, Milei was welcomed by Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
"You are a value-driven person committed only to truth, and it is no wonder that you chose to come to Israel immediately to support us in the just struggle to defend the Jewish people against Hamas terrorists,” Katz told the Argentinian president.
“I thank you for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and for your announcement now to relocate Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem, the capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Welcome to Israel, Mr. President - Viva La Libertad Carajo!"
Accompanying President Milei were Argentina's Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, the presidential chief of staff, Karina Milei, and the President's Rabbi, Rabbi Shimon Axel and his wife.
Benjamin Netanyahu welcomes Milei
Shortly thereafter, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to X, formerly Twitter, to welcome the Milei.
"I warmly welcome the arrival to Israel of the President of Argentina, Israel's friend, Javier Milei, who announced the relocation of Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem. Welcome, dear friend!" Netanyahu wrote.
אני מקבל בחום את הגעתו לישראל של נשיא ארגנטינה, ידיד ישראל חאבייר מיליי, שהודיע על העברת שגרירות ארגנטינה לירושלים. ברוך הבא חבר יקר!
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 6, 2024
Minister-without-portfolio Gideon Sa’ar of Benny Gantz’s National Unity Party also wrote a post on X to welcome the Argentinian president and celebrate the decision to relocate Argentina's embassy.
“Congratulations to President of Argentina @JMilei, one of Israel's great friends worldwide, on his important announcement at the outset of his visit to the country regarding the relocation of Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem,” wrote Sa’ar. “Welcome to Israel!”
"We are working and intend to declare Hamas a terrorist organization"
Later on Tuesday evening, Milei told President Isaac Herzog that he was working towards his country's recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization.
"We condemned not only Hamas's terrorist actions but also expressed our solidarity with the State of Israel and continued to support Israel's legitimate right to self-defense," Milei told Herzog. "Allow me to add that I have also sent a bill to the Argentinian parliament, demanding the release of the hostages, all the hostages, of course, and with a special focus on the Argentinian captives - 11 of whom are still in captivity."
"We are working and planning to declare Hamas a terrorist organization," Milei added. "But now, my presence here confirms everything I have said not only in recent weeks but since October 7. And this is another sign of the historical closeness, support, and friendship between our peoples."
Hamas condemns Milei's intention to move the Argentinian embassy
In a statement posted to its English-language Telegram channel on Tuesday evening, Hamas denounced Argentina's intention to move its embassy to Jerusalem.
"We in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) strongly condemn and denounce the announcement by the President of Argentina of his intention to transfer his country’s embassy to the Nazi-Zionist entity to occupied Jerusalem," Hamas stated. "We consider it an infringement on the rights of our Palestinian people to their land, and a violation of the rules of international law, considering Jerusalem an occupied Palestinian land."
Hamas went on to call on President Milei to reverse his decision to make the embassy move.