Argentinian President Javier Milei landed in Israel earlier this week for his third state visit since taking office. The delegation also includes senior Argentine officials: Foreign Minister Pablo Kirchner, Secretary of the Presidency, and the president’s sister, Karina Milei, Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, and his wife.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X upon Milei’s arrival, in Hebrew and Spanish: “Welcome to Israel, welcome to Jerusalem. A great friend of the State of Israel. Israel and Argentina stand together, stronger than ever.”
The president began his visit at the Western Wall, as in his previous visits, and is currently holding a press conference with Netanyahu, during which they ceremonially signed the “Isaac Accords” to strengthen relations between Israel and Latin American countries. Netanyahu and Milei signed memorandums of understanding in the fields of security and artificial intelligence, as well as agreements aimed at bringing Latin American countries closer to Israel. It was also agreed to establish a direct flight route between the two countries.
Netanyahu on Iran: “It’s Not Over Yet”
Netanyahu said: “This is my friend Javier’s third visit to Jerusalem. He is not only a friend, he is a person I admire as a great leader. This is the first time in our history that we are granting a foreign leader the honor of lighting a torch on Independence Day. Under your leadership, your country speaks with clarity.”
He added about Milei: “He stands with Israel, with the Jewish people, and has spoken out against antisemitism. He is so clear, so direct—I salute you, my friend. The free world should salute you. We are in a time of great challenges. We have taken part in a war alongside the United States against Iran, which seeks to harm civilization. We have achieved tremendous successes, but it is not over yet. Every moment may bring new developments.”
“I wish you all the best,” Netanyahu added. “I know that the best is still ahead of us. You are part of our family. Thank you, my friend, welcome to Jerusalem.”
President Milei thanked the prime minister during their joint statement, delivering his remarks in Spanish and concluding with his well-known slogan, “Long live liberty, damn it!” Netanyahu embraced Milei at the end of his speech and repeated the slogan in Spanish. Later, Milei spoke again and declared in Hebrew, “Am Yisrael Chai.”
Joint Practices and Task Force to Combat Terrorism
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Kirchner signed memorandums of understanding for cooperation in combating terrorism as well as in the field of artificial intelligence. The memorandums take effect immediately upon their joint signing.
The security memorandum defines joint practices between the countries in the fight against terrorism and includes nine clauses which, according to the agreement, are intended “to contribute to the prevention and thwarting of terrorist activities, to combat extremism and the ideology that fuels it, and recognition of the countries’ shared concern over the rise in acts of terrorism and extremism and the importance of addressing them.”
The agreement includes cooperation against various forms of terrorist activity, including terror financing, global jihad, arms proliferation, and the misuse of technology and cyber tools.
The memorandum details cooperation between the countries in the field of security, including training and capacity-building for law enforcement authorities and security forces, the sharing and exchange of information and expertise, working meetings and consultations, as well as courses and training programs. A joint working group will also be established between the two countries, with the authority to advance and implement these areas. The group will convene at regular intervals to be agreed upon in advance.
The memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence, aimed at cooperation between Israel’s National AI Directorate in the Prime Minister’s Office and Argentina’s National Secretariat for Innovation, Science and Technology, addresses supercomputing infrastructure, the application of AI in critical civilian sectors, human capital development, and joint research.
Regev: “During the war, many Israelis flew to Argentina, this is part of our national resilience”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: “Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister. During the president’s previous visit here in Jerusalem, I mentioned God’s blessing to Abraham. Since then, Mr. President, you have won the parliamentary elections, this too is likely part of that divine blessing. We are friends with those who are our friends. As the Prime Minister said, your great courage is in standing on the right side of history.
“We are establishing a flight route that connects two parts of the world. I would call it a line of morality, a line of light. The United States leads moral clarity in the world. The connection you are leading in South America is something the entire world will remember for many years. The Jewish people are characterized by a long memory—we will remember this alliance as well, President Milei, between our peoples and our countries, for thousands of years to come.”
Transport Minister Miri Regev addressed the launch of the direct flight route between the countries: “More and more countries are turning to the state to promote flights to Israel. Once this route begins operating, we will enable a direct slot between Israel and Argentina, because everyone understands that the Israeli market is profitable. During the war, many Israelis flew to Argentina—this is part of our national resilience. The new agreement will increase the number of flights and establish fair pricing rules. I will ensure this in cooperation with Argentina’s Ministry of Transport.”
El Al Chairman Amikam Ben-Zvi said in a statement alongside Argentine President Javier Milei that direct flights to and from the country “will begin operating later this year,” though he did not specify an exact date. “This is an important route for the Jewish community in Argentina.”
