Argentine president to visit Israel in June, focus on strengthening ties, release of hostages

Argentinian President Javier Milei is expected to arrive for a diplomatic visit to Israel in early June, both countries have confirmed.

The trip will be centered on the joint signing of a memorandum of understanding between Jerusalem and Buenos Aires, “reaffirming the values of freedom, democracy and the fight against discrimination and antisemitism,” says a source in the Argentine embassy.

The South American president also plans to emphasize his country’s call for the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, three of whom are dual Argentine-Israeli nationals, adds the source.

During his visit, Milei — who visited Israel in February 2024 — is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, deliver an address before the Knesset plenum, and discuss establishing direct flights between Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv.

Milei and Netanyahu’s signing of the memorandum aims to secure Argentina’s ties to Israel, and came at the initiative of Argentine Ambassador to Israel Shimon Axel Wahnish, who is also the philosemitic president’s personal rabbi.

Wahnish works continuously to strengthen Israel-Argentina relations, as well as Israel’s status in Latin America at large, adds the source.

Milei was set to speak before the Knesset in March, after accepting an invitation from Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, but had to postpone the visit due to internal priorities in Argentina.

“Milei is considered one of the most pro-Israel leaders in the world,” has “instructed his country’s representatives in international institutions to vote in favor of Israel, and has been one of the world’s most vocal supporters of Israel since the beginning of the war,” said Ohana’s office in a statement about the visit.