Argentina's Milei asks Netanyahu to delay visit fearing public revolt

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English + Israeli media
27 Sep 2025 23:57

Argentine President Javier Milei reportedly asked Netanyahu to postpone a visit to Buenos Aires, fearing it would negatively impact his election campaign.

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Argentina President Javier Milei addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at U.N. headquarters (AP)

Argentine President Javier Milei requested that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postpone a planned visit to Argentina ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections, fearing it could further harm his already declining popularity.

According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu had been preparing to travel to Buenos Aires, but Milei asked him to delay the trip. Despite Milei’s well-known support for “Israel”, the Argentine president was reportedly concerned that Netanyahu’s visit would negatively impact him politically in the sensitive pre-election period.

Sources in Argentina claimed that the decision was general and applied to all planned visits by foreign leaders, insisting it was not directed against “Israel” specifically.

Argentina remains among the few countries still open to receiving Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes in occupied Palestine.

Milei, a far-right politician, was elected president in 2023 after winning 55% of the vote. However, his popularity has since suffered setbacks amid mounting domestic challenges.

In August, Reuters reported that Argentine human rights lawyers filed a criminal complaint in federal court seeking Netanyahu’s arrest if he entered the country.

The complaint accused him of complicity in the war crime of deliberately causing death by starvation, as well as crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.