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Argentina's President Javier Milei has revealed intentions to relocate his country's embassy to Jerusalem during his official visit to Israel. The 53-year-old economist, known for disrupting traditional politics with his election victory last year, received a warm welcome from Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz upon his arrival at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv.
This marks Milei's inaugural official visit to Israel, apart from a brief attendance at the Davos economic forum in Switzerland. "My plan is to move the embassy to west Jerusalem," Milei announced during his visit.
The announcement, long anticipated, was met with approval from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu's office issued a statement expressing his warm reception of the decision, stating that he "warmly welcomes" Milei's commitment to the embassy relocation.
The Prime Minister had previously discussed the embassy move with President Milei following his election, indicating support for the initiative. The confirmation of the embassy relocation underscores the strengthening ties between Argentina and Israel under Milei's leadership.
As diplomatic relations between the two countries deepen, Milei's announcement is poised to have significant implications for regional dynamics and international relations. The decision aligns Argentina with a handful of countries that have recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a move that has drawn both praise and criticism on the global stage.
With plans for the embassy shift now in motion, attention turns to the practicalities and timeline for the relocation, as well as the broader implications for Argentina's foreign policy agenda. Milei's visit to Israel signals a new chapter in bilateral relations, marking a milestone in Argentina's diplomatic landscape.
