President Javier Milei will visit Israel on March 23 to discuss a security and defense collaboration memorandum. This will be his second visit since taking office in December 2023. During the trip, he may meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and address the Knesset. The initiative comes as Milei aims to bolster ties between Argentina and Israel, especially concerning counter-terrorism efforts.
President Javier Milei of Argentina is scheduled to make a second visit to Israel at the end of this month, aimed at solidifying security and defense partnerships. His departure from Buenos Aires is set for March 23, as confirmed by Rabbi Axel Wahnish, Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel. This visit follows his first in February 2024, during which he engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visited Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall, an experience that deeply moved him.
Accompanying President Milei on this trip will be his sister, Karina Milei, who serves as Chief-of-Staff, along with Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein. Discussions may lead to a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Milei is also poised to address the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament. The memorandum they aim to sign focuses on cooperation in security and defense against terrorism, reflecting the strengthened ties between Argentina and Israel since Milei’s assumption of office in December 2023.
Ambassador Wahnish expressed optimism regarding upcoming collaborative initiatives in sectors such as innovation, technology, defense, and security, indicating a shared commitment to these agendas. In accordance with his recent state of the nation address, President Milei pledged to confront terrorism vigorously, outlining an intent to introduce a national security law that enhances capabilities for national defense and intelligence operations, countering threats to Argentine citizens.
The president recently declared two days of mourning following the tragic confirmation of the deaths of Israeli-Argentine children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, whose remains were returned to Israel after being held hostage by Hamas militants for 17 months. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed gratitude to President Milei for his resolute leadership and integrity, suggesting that such actions can inspire dignitaries across the global community.
During his inaugural year as president, Milei vowed to relocate Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem, mirroring the decision made by former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018. Although this promise has yet to be realized, Ambassador Wahnish has established his diplomatic base in Jerusalem, indicating ongoing engagement with the region.
In summary, President Javier Milei’s impending visit to Israel underscores Argentina’s commitment to enhancing security and defense collaboration, particularly in the face of terrorism. His administration seeks to formalize these partnerships through a memorandum during this trip. The strong diplomatic relations between Argentina and Israel are further illustrated by Milei’s intentions regarding embassy relocation and his administration’s proactive stance against threats to national security.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
