Milei in Jerusalem: Netanyahu warns "At any moment, the war with Iran could take a new turn"

Argentine President Javier Milei landed in Israel today (Sunday) and met this evening with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier, he visited the Western Wall. This is his third visit to Israel since he took office in December 2023.

At the start of the meeting, Netanyahu said: "We have decided to grant the President of Argentina the honor of lighting a torch on the upcoming Independence Day at Mount Herzl. He is not only a personal friend—he is a great leader, an economic leader, and a great global leader. This is the first time in history that we are granting the honor of lighting a torch on our Independence Day—it has never happened before, and it is right and just that it is happening now".

Addressing the war with Iran, Netanyahu made clear that Israel remains on high alert. "At any moment, a new development could occur in the war with Iran; it is not over." Netanyahu added that "the alliance with Argentina and the United States is critical in the face of the Iranian threat. We stand together against Iran's great threat, which seeks to bring down the United States and destroy Western civilization as we know it. I am confident that with our moral clarity and our partnership, we will achieve our goals".

President Milei emphasized in his remarks the deep moral partnership between the countries: "We act from the same values of democracy, civilization, and freedom, and we have a shared responsibility to act together. Just as the Abraham Accords were born from a commitment to peace, so we stand united in the fight against terror".

Milei declared that Argentina is the first country in South America to officially support Israel's struggle against the Iranian axis, and announced the dramatic diplomatic step: "Argentina and Israel are 'sisters in pain' since the bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires. Today we seek justice—and we will move our embassy to Jerusalem".

The visiting president also announced the launch of EL AL's direct flight route to Buenos Aires, beginning in November. In his words, "This flight is the physical representation of the moral and political union between us. Our nations will now be closer than ever".

Milei also referred to the new technological cooperation signed between the countries in the field of artificial intelligence: "Israel is today a first-rate technological powerhouse, and Argentina has the human capital and regulatory freedom to become the world's next AI hub. We will develop joint models, train experts, and work together in international forums where the future of this technological revolution will be determined".

At the end of his remarks, the president stressed the importance of the alliance between the countries: "The nations that believe in freedom must be the ones to lead change. Today, more than ever, we must remain united as sister nations".

It should be noted that during the meeting the countries' foreign ministers, Gideon Sa'ar and Pablo Kirno, signed memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements. The highlight is the announcement of the "Yitzhak Accords"—a new diplomatic initiative, in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, intended to tighten Israel's strategic, economic, and security ties with countries in Central and South America, including Panama and Ecuador.

Tomorrow (Monday), Milei will be awarded an honorary doctorate by Bar-Ilan University, after which he will hold a meeting with families of hostages who were released from Hamas captivity. Later in the day, he will meet with President Isaac Herzog at the President's Residence. On Tuesday evening, Milei will arrive at the state torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl.