Is argentina milei close to israel, whichi its closest ally
Executive summary
Javier Milei has moved Argentina into unusually warm, highly visible alignment with Israel through repeated state visits, pledges to relocate Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem, and a high-profile $1 million Genesis Prize donation tied to pro‑Israel initiatives [1] [2] [3]. That posture — reinforced by joint projects and public praise from Israeli leaders — makes Israel one of Milei’s closest foreign partners, although practical limits and recent tensions show the relationship is not unconditional [4] [5] [6].
1. Milei’s tangible moves toward Israel: embassy shifts, Knesset address, Genesis Prize
Since his 2023 election Milei has repeatedly signaled a policy break with Argentina’s historical diplomatic caution toward the Israel‑Palestine question, announcing in the Knesset that Argentina would move its embassy from near Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem in 2026 and addressing Israel’s parliament in an unusually conspicuous display of solidarity [1] [7] [2]. He received the Genesis Prize in Jerusalem and said he would dedicate the $1 million award to an NGO effort to deepen Israel–Latin America ties [8] [3], and Argentina under his government has publicly launched initiatives framed as analogous to the Abraham Accords to expand ties across the region [5] [3].
2. Public praise, diplomatic choreography and Israeli responses
Israeli political leaders have reciprocated Milei’s outreach with effusive praise and high‑level engagements: standing ovations in the Knesset, warm statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior ministers, and diplomatic visits by Israeli ministers to Buenos Aires to cement economic and security ties [1] [4] [9]. Coverage in Israeli and pro‑Israel outlets frames Milei as “one of Israel’s best friends,” and official Israeli delegations have been presented as evidence of rapidly strengthening bilateral links [9] [2].
3. Strategic alignment beyond symbolism: where Israel sits among Argentina’s allies
Milei’s foreign policy reorientation explicitly groups Israel alongside the United States as Argentina’s principal strategic partners, with the government canceling previous multilateral engagements perceived as antagonistic to that bloc and applying for new partnerships such as NATO Global Partner status [8] [10]. Reporting shows Argentina under Milei is actively trying to position itself with a cohort of like‑minded democracies and pro‑Israel governments in the hemisphere, including initiatives intended to expand cooperation with Brazil, Colombia and others [5] [3].
4. Limits, friction and domestic/international pushback
Despite the blaze of symbolism, the relationship has shown limits: multiple reports in early 2026 say Argentina paused or “froze” the embassy relocation amid a diplomatic dispute over Israeli oil drilling near the Falklands/Malvinas, illustrating that bilateral economic and territorial sensitivities can produce swift pushback even under a pro‑Israel presidency [6] [11] [12]. Domestically and regionally, critics warn Milei’s shift breaks long‑standing Argentine norms and risks isolation in Latin America, and some Jewish community intellectuals earlier expressed concern about the political use of Judaism in his rise — indicating that support is not monolithic at home [13] [8].
5. Bottom line: Israel is among Milei’s closest allies, but not an unconditional protectorate
The record is clear that under Milei Israel has become a leading diplomatic partner for Argentina: public commitments to move the embassy to Jerusalem, the Genesis Prize initiative, mutual high‑level ceremonies and cooperative projects all place Israel near the top of Argentina’s bilateral relationships under this administration [1] [3] [4]. However, recent episodes — notably the reported embassy freeze tied to drilling near the South Atlantic — and Argentina’s continuing domestic and regional constraints show the partnership remains transactional and vulnerable to policy disputes, meaning Israel is a closest ally in Milei’s foreign policy constellation but not an absolute, unalterable protector of Argentine interests [6] [11] [10].