Argentina's far-right President Javier Milei arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday for a three-day visit during which he is expected to open his country’s embassy in Jerusalem and deepen ties with Israel .
Milei’s arrival was given a low profile at his request. He then visited the Western Wall in occupied East Jerusalem, wearing a kippah embroidered with his name in Hebrew, where he prayed for the "peace of Israel and Argentina" and the continuation of ties between the two countries.
He also read from the Torah alongside the rabbi of the site, saying that "this place is the most important to me", according to Israel’s Channel 12 .
During the visit, Milei is set to open Argentina’s embassy in Jerusalem and inaugurate a public square named after Argentina in recognition of his government’s support for Israel, particularly during Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.
He will also take part in Israel’s annual torch-lighting ceremony marking Israel's 'independence day', which coincides with the Palestinian Nakba. Later on Sunday, Milei is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, followed by a signing ceremony for memoranda of understanding between the two sides, according to Israel Hayom .
The agreements are expected to focus on strengthening ties between Israel and Argentina, including a new initiative proposed by Milei known as the "Isaac Accords", aimed at expanding cooperation between Israel and South American countries, similar to the Abraham Accords.
A new direct flight route between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires, operated by El Al, is also set to be launched during the visit, with Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Transport Minister Miri Regev and Milei expected to speak at the event.
Milei is accompanied by Argentinian Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, who is scheduled to meet his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar to sign agreements on cooperation in "counter-terrorism", as well as collaboration between Israel’s artificial intelligence authority and Argentina’s national secretariat for innovation, science and technology.
On Monday, Milei will attend a ceremony at Bar-Ilan University, where he will be awarded an honorary doctorate, before meeting families of former Israeli captives and later holding talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
On Tuesday, he is expected to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied Jerusalem before taking part in the torch-lighting ceremony, where he will light a torch himself, concluding his visit later that evening.
Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev, who oversees the ceremony, said Milei was chosen to light a torch because of his strong support for Israel, including during the war on Gaza. Milei has also designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah and Hamas as "terrorist organisations".
Regev said that Milei has led an "active struggle" in international forums against "antisemitism" and in support of "Israel’s right to defend itself", and noted his decision to rename a street previously called "Palestine Street" after an Israeli family allegedly kidnapped by Hamas during the 7 October surprise attack.