Argentina to relocate embassy to occupied al-Quds by 2026, Milei says

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Jun 2025 21:56

Milei's pledge follows a string of policy shifts designed to strengthen ties with "Israel."

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Argentina's President Javier Milei gestures to lawmakers as he takes the podium at the Knesset, "Israel's" parliament, in occupied Al-Quds, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo)

Argentine President Javier Milei announced Wednesday that his government intends to relocate Argentina's embassy in "Israel" from Tel Aviv to occupied al-Quds by 2026, deepening his administration's alignment with the Israeli regime.

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

Zionist alignment

The move places Argentina among a small group of nations, such as the United States, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Kosovo, that have transferred their embassies to al-Quds despite widespread objections from much of the international community.

The vast majority of countries continue to keep their embassies in Tel Aviv, in recognition of the international consensus not to legitimize the occupation of al-Quds. While Israelis claim the entire city as its capital, the Palestinian Authority asserts its right to the eastern part of al-Quds, illegally occupied and annexed since 1967, as the rightful capital of a future Palestinian state.

Milei's pledge follows a string of policy shifts designed to strengthen ties with "Israel." Shortly after taking office, his administration reversed Argentina's prior stance at the United Nations by voting against the recognition of a Palestinian state.

He has also designated Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations and was recently awarded the prestigious $1 million Genesis Prize for his outspoken support of "Israel."

Ideological alliance

During his state visit, Milei made symbolic gestures as well, beginning his official engagements at the Western Wall and declaring, "My support for Israel comes from the heart, because I believe this is a just cause, the cause of the West. I will always stand by your side."

Milei has also nominated his close religious advisor, Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, to serve as Argentina's ambassador to "Israel", a move reflecting the ideological dimensions of his pro-"Israel" agenda.

The embassy relocation plan echoes the precedent set by US President Donald Trump, who recognized al-Quds as "Israel's" capital in 2017 and moved the American embassy there in 2018.

Like Trump, Milei appears to be leveraging symbolic foreign policy shifts to reinforce his geopolitical identity, though analysts warn that the decision may isolate Argentina diplomatically, particularly among countries that still support the so-called "two-state solution."