Israel and Argentina mark 75 years of diplomatic ties with letter of friendship from President Javier Milei

Israel and Argentina marked 75 years of diplomatic relations during a special ceremony at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem organized by the Argentina Embassy in Israel on Monday. 

Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Axel Wahnisch, and senior Israeli government officials, including President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, were also in attendance.

During the ceremony, Wahnisch presented a letter from Argentina’s President Javier Milei in which he stressed the two countries’ mutual values of freedom and democracy.

“The foundation of the relationship between Argentina and Israel is the value of Freedom and Democracy. I have prioritized our ties with Israel, elevating them to an unprecedented level. I commend the outstanding work our Embassy in Israel is doing toward this goal,” Milei wrote in the letter, adding that he has great admiration for Israel and its people.

“My admiration for Israel, its history, and its people is sincere,” the letter stated. “A people who have demonstrated time and again that resilience and the constant defense of Freedom are the keys to overcoming any challenge.”

Milei criticized those who have remained silent about terrorism in Israel and the fate of the Israeli hostages in Gaza.

“Silence is complicity, and it compels us to condemn the brutal and cowardly terrorist attack of October 7,” Milei wrote, while also praising his relationships with both Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In his speech, Herzog highlighted Argentina’s unique historical role in recognizing Israel. 

“Argentina was the first Latin American country to recognize the State of Israel,” Herzog said. “Now, under the leadership of my dear friend Javier Milei, relations are stronger than ever.”

“We cried and laughed together, united in confronting the forces of terrorism,” he added.

In a post on 𝕏, Herzog shared that the ceremony was attended by families of hostages.

“As we marked 75 years of Israel’s diplomatic relations with Argentina… We were joined by families of the hostages with Argentinean citizenship still being brutally held by Hamas in Gaza, as well as by others who were since released, and we reiterated our call for the immediate release of all our brothers and sisters being held captive. Thank you to my good friend President @JMilei and the people of Argentina for continuing to stand with Israel. As we mark 75 years of our cooperation and partnership in so many fields, today we stand strong together, united in the face of terror and hatred.”

Ohana praised Argentina’s designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization and invited Milei to speak at the Knesset.

Milei visited Israel in February, where he met with Netanyahu and Herzog in Jerusalem. 

“Your stalwart support for Israel in so many forms is deeply, deeply appreciated. Welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome, friend,” Netanyahu told Milei at the time. 

Just seconds after stepping off the plane, Milei declared that he would move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem, which he had recognized as Israel’s capital just the day before his arrival. 

Argentina is home to the largest Jewish community in South America, numbering some 200,000 Jews.