Milei says Argentina will move its embassy to Jerusalem in 2026

(Patria) - Argentine President Javier Milei stated that his country will move its embassy to Jerusalem in 2026, the status of which is one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, AFP reported.

"I am proud to announce before you that in 2026 we will effectively move our embassy to the city of West Jerusalem, as we promised," Milei said in a speech to the Israeli parliament during an official state visit.

The Argentine embassy is currently located in Herzliya, near the coastal city of Tel Aviv.

This is Milei's second visit to Israel since his election in 2023. His previous trip, in February 2024, was his first official state trip outside of Argentina.

During that trip, he announced plans to move the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem – a controversial move that echoed the shocking decision by then-US President Donald Trump in 2017 to unilaterally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Israel has occupied East Jerusalem since 1967 and later annexed it in a move not recognized by the international community. Israel treats the city as its capital, while Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future state. Most embassies in Israel are located in the coastal city of Tel Aviv to avoid interfering in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
Speaking ahead of Milei's address to parliament on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "the city of Jerusalem will never again be divided".

Several countries, including the United States, Paraguay, Guatemala, Honduras, and Kosovo, have moved their embassies to Jerusalem, defying international consensus.

During his first term as US President, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2017, sparking Palestinian outrage and disapproval from the international community.

The United States moved its embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018.

Milei, who has expressed a deep interest in Judaism and studied Jewish scriptures, is one of Israel's staunchest defenders. As Israel faces increasing international pressure over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Milei has sought to express his support.

"As a nation, we want to stand firmly with you as you go through these dark days, we will not yield to criticism that stems from cowardice or complicity with barbarism," he said during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

He also called for the "unconditional return of the four Argentinians still held captive" in Gaza after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered a war. The attack killed 1,219 people, mostly civilians. At least 55,104 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israeli attacks.