Introduction
Since the inauguration of the government of Javier Milei in Argentina, the country has witnessed significant transformations in both its domestic and foreign policies. These developments have not only affected Argentina’s economic and social structures but have also fundamentally reshaped the government’s approach to human rights, civil liberties, and international relations. Milei’s administration, which came to power through a discourse centered on radical free-market economics, political securitization, and opposition to domestic left-wing movements, has become widely known as the “Trump of Argentina” due to these ideological tendencies.
At the same time, the government has sought to elevate its relations with the State of Israel and the United States of America to an unprecedented level. This political and ideological rapprochement, combined with Buenos Aires’ explicit support for Israeli policies in international forums, has raised serious questions regarding the impact of this alliance on the state of human rights in Argentina.
Meanwhile, the Milei administration’s support for Israel’s security-oriented approaches and its silence—or highly limited responses—to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza have reinforced the perception that Argentina’s new government is moving toward an ever-deeper strategic partnership with Israel while overlooking Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank. In this context, geopolitical and security considerations appear increasingly to overshadow Argentina’s human rights reputation within South America.
Incidents
Since the beginning of Javier Milei’s administration, a series of political, security, and social developments have emerged in Argentina, generating significant repercussions within the country’s human rights landscape. Setting aside the government’s domestic human rights performance for the purposes of the present report, Argentina has made substantial efforts to expand its relations with Israel irrespective of developments in Gaza, Lebanon, and elsewhere. These policies have generated considerable criticism both domestically and internationally.
- Relocation of the Argentine Embassy to Jerusalem
On Wednesday, 11 June 2025, Javier Milei, during a speech before the Knesset, announced that Argentina would relocate its embassy to Jerusalem (West Jerusalem). During the address, he declared:
“I am proud to announce before you that in 2026, as we promised, we will carry out the transfer of our embassy to the city of West Jerusalem.”
At the time, Argentina’s embassy was located in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv[1].
During this period, Israel was facing increasing international pressure over the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza following more than twenty months of war. Milei sought to express his support for Israel through this announcement. Argentina attempted to join the six countries—Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and the United States[2]—that had relocated their embassies to Jerusalem despite the fact that the territories in question continue to be regarded by the United Nations as occupied territories.
The relocation was initially scheduled to enter its operational phase in early 2026. However, after the Israeli company Navitas announced cooperation with the British company Rockhopper in a hydrocarbon extraction project off the coast of the Falkland Islands, a territory claimed by Argentina as its own, the Milei government postponed the embassy relocation project[3]. Nevertheless, during Milei’s visit to Israel in April 2026, the new embassy was ultimately inaugurated.
- Designation of Hamas as a Terrorist Organization
On Friday, 12 July 2024, the Government of Argentina issued an official statement declaring that Hamas, based in Gaza, would be recognized as a “terrorist organization,” and that its assets would be frozen.
The official statement issued by the Milei administration declared:
“President Javier Milei is firmly committed to identifying terrorists for what they are; this is the first time there has been the political will to do so[4].”
It should be noted that this marked the first such designation in Latin America.
Argentina’s position was adopted at a time when a considerable number of Latin American countries—particularly left-leaning governments such as Colombia, Chile, and Bolivia—had severed diplomatic relations with Israel following the 7 October attack and the subsequent war in Gaza[5].
Previous Peronist administrations in Argentina, while maintaining friendly relations with Israel and governing a country that hosts the largest Jewish community in Latin America, had consistently supported the establishment of a Palestinian State alongside their relationship with Israel[6].
- Transformation of Argentina’s Voting Pattern at the United Nations in Favor of Israel
Since assuming power, the Milei administration has consistently sought to demonstrate alignment with both Israel and the United States in international forums, particularly within the United Nations.
For example, in September 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution calling upon Israel to end its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territories within one year[7]. The resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 124 votes, while Argentina was among the 14 countries that voted against it.
In another instance, the General Assembly adopted, by a substantial majority, a resolution calling upon the United Nations Security Council to reconsider and support full United Nations membership for Palestine. During this vote, 143 countries voted in favor, 9 countries voted against, and 25 countries abstained. Argentina was among the states opposing the resolution[8].
Furthermore, in September 2025, a total of 142 countries in the General Assembly voted in favor of the New York Declaration, advocating a two-state solution as the permanent resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Once again, Argentina was among the small group of only 10 countries that voted against the initiative[9].
- Creation and Promotion of the “Isaac Accords” Initiative
The creation and promotion of the initiative known as the “Isaac Accords” constitutes one of the most significant measures undertaken by the government of Javier Milei to deepen Argentina’s relationship with the State of Israel.
Inspired by the Abraham Accords, the initiative was designed with the objective of expanding political, security, economic, and technological cooperation between Israel and countries across Latin America.
According to available reports, the framework was officially announced on 19 April 2026 during a meeting between Javier Milei and Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Its stated mission was to promote cooperation among “the descendants of Isaac and the nations of the Judeo-Christian tradition in defense of freedom and democracy and in the fight against terrorism, antisemitism, and drug trafficking[10].”
The initiative is based upon four principal pillars:
- Strategic security frameworks;
- Technology and artificial intelligence;
- Direct air connectivity;
- Embassy relocation.
Perhaps the most tangible outcome of the initiative is the establishment of direct non-stop flights between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires, scheduled to commence in December 2026 through Israel’s national airline, El Al[11].
- Deepening Political and Symbolic Relations with Israeli Officials
The strengthening of political and symbolic ties between the government of Javier Milei and Israeli officials has become one of the defining characteristics of Argentina’s foreign policy under the new administration.
Since assuming office, Milei has undertaken three official visits to the occupied Palestinian territories and has held numerous meetings with Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials.
Milei, who has described himself as “the most Zionist president in the world,” traveled to Tel Aviv in April 2026 at the invitation of Netanyahu to participate in ceremonies marking the seventy-eighth anniversary of the establishment of Israel.
Shortly after arriving in Tel Aviv, the Argentine president visited the Western Wall, one of Judaism’s holiest religious sites located in Jerusalem, where he spent several minutes in prayer[12].
Although Javier Milei was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, he has increasingly demonstrated a public interest in Judaism[13], a development that some observers have interpreted as being linked to broader political and economic considerations.
Challenges and Responses
- Concurrent Domestic Pressures
While the government of Javier Milei has moved toward deeper political and security cooperation with Israel and broader alignment with the Washington–Tel Aviv axis, it has simultaneously faced growing criticism within Argentina in the economic, social, and human rights spheres.
Extensive austerity measures, subsidy reductions, cuts in public expenditure, rising inflation, and worsening living conditions have generated widespread public dissatisfaction and street protests among various sectors of society, including labor unions, students, and pensioners.
The situation has reached a point where opposition groups, despite their ideological differences, have increasingly united against the government.
Oil workers, transportation employees, steelworkers, public-sector employees, and other labor groups have repeatedly mobilized under the leadership of Argentina’s largest labor confederation to protest what they describe as government inaction[14].
During a protest march in April 2026, Sergio Aguirre, a 51-year-old bus driver, told the Associated Press:
“This is a government that does not care about the people. Costs keep rising while our salaries remain frozen. We survive through overtime work. Now they want to take that away from us, along with the rest of our benefits[15].”
Alongside these economic challenges, various human rights organizations and media outlets have accused the Milei administration of restricting civic space, adopting harsh measures against protesters, exerting pressure on journalists, and employing aggressive rhetoric toward critics.
In one particularly controversial statement, Milei declared:
“We do not hate journalists enough[16].”
This remark was widely interpreted as indicative of an effort to discourage criticism and constrain media freedoms.
Within such a climate, the government’s close relationship with Israel and its political support for Benjamin Netanyahu have further intensified criticism. A growing segment of Argentine society has begun questioning whether the Milei administration is attempting to overshadow domestic crises and social pressures by emphasizing foreign alliances and security-oriented narratives.
According to critics, the convergence of restrictive domestic policies with increasing alignment with Israel reflects a broader security-centered and ideological redefinition of governance that may have significant implications for civil liberties, the right to protest, and Argentina’s historical commitment to human rights.
- Domestic Reactions
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Argentine citizens have repeatedly taken to the streets in solidarity with Palestinians and to express support for their cause.
One of the most significant demonstrations, reported by People’s Dispatch and subsequently covered by numerous other media outlets, took place in Buenos Aires in August 2025.
Thousands of demonstrators marched under the slogan:
“We Are All Children of Gaza.”
Participants demanded an end to what they described as the “genocide” and starvation of the population of Gaza.
In addition to condemning Israeli actions, demonstrators strongly criticized the close relationship between the government of Javier Milei and Benjamin Netanyahu, chanting slogans against the administration’s pro-Israel policies.
Some protesters accused Milei of aligning himself with “Zionism” while ignoring the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
The government’s plans to relocate the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem and the possibility of an official visit by Benjamin Netanyahu to Argentina also generated negative reactions from political parties, labor unions, and human rights organizations.
According to reports, certain political and civil society activists even called for Netanyahu’s arrest should he visit Argentina, accusing him of committing “genocide” and “war crimes” against Palestinians.
Similar demonstrations were organized in dozens of cities across Argentina, illustrating the growing public opposition to the Milei administration’s policies toward Israel[17].
Palestinian News & Information Agency (WAFA) also reported on another major demonstration in Argentina condemning the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Argentine government’s support for Israel.
According to this report, thousands of people marched in Buenos Aires in June 2025 in one of the largest protest gatherings of recent years, denouncing Israeli attacks on Gaza and the silence of the international community in response to them.
The demonstration, organized by pro-Palestinian bodies and solidarity groups supporting the Palestinian people, was backed by dozens of political parties, left-wing movements, social organizations, and several members of parliament.
Protesters carried placards condemning Israel’s “war crimes” in Gaza and also criticized the government of Javier Milei for its explicit support of Benjamin Netanyahu.
In this context, Milei’s recent visit to Israel and the government’s plan to relocate the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem in 2026 were among the central points of protest. Demonstrators described this measure as a form of legitimization of the Israeli occupation.
At the end of the gathering in the historic Plaza de Mayo, several activists and speakers emphasized the slogan “Not in Our Name,” declaring that the Argentine government had no right to justify support for Israeli policies in the name of the Argentine people[18].
- International Reactions
Middle East Eye, in a report titled “Why is Argentina becoming a ‘great friend’ of Israel amid its war crimes in Gaza?”, examined the reasons behind the Milei government’s growing closeness to Israel.
The report emphasized that the rise of Javier Milei marked a turning point in Argentina’s foreign policy toward the question of Palestine and Israel. According to the report, Buenos Aires’ traditional policy of “relative neutrality” or maintaining “equal distance” between the two sides has gradually been replaced by open alignment with Tel Aviv.
The author identifies several key factors behind this shift, including the ideological proximity of the Milei administration to pro-Israel right-wing movements, security and intelligence cooperation between the two sides, and Milei’s explicit support for Israeli policies in the Gaza war.
The report also notes that the Milei government, through measures such as opposing full Palestinian membership in the United Nations, designating Hamas as a “terrorist” organization, and offering unconditional support to Israel after the developments of 7 October, has effectively placed Argentina in a position distinct from that of many other Latin American governments[19].
The Palestinian Information Center also published a report on the Isaac Accords between Argentina and Israel.
According to this report, during his third official visit to the occupied territories, Javier Milei, while once again reaffirming his comprehensive support for Israel, unveiled an initiative known as the “Isaac Accords.”
The initiative, inspired by the Abraham Accords, is presented as a framework aimed at expanding Israel’s political, commercial, cultural, and strategic cooperation with Latin American countries.
During this visit, Milei described relations between Argentina and Israel as a form of “moral, spiritual, and political unity,” and, alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasized the deepening of bilateral cooperation.
The report also referred to criticism by several Argentine experts and analysts. Among them, Julia Argentina Perié, President of the Observatory of International Relations of the Victoria Foundation, characterized the accords more as a “political and ideological structure” than as a response to the real needs of Latin America.
She argued that Argentina, by moving away from its traditional policy based on balance and respect for international law, is drawing excessively close to the Washington–Tel Aviv axis; a process that could affect the country’s strategic independence and international credibility.
The report further emphasized that the relocation of Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem, explicit support for Israel amid the Gaza war, and the use of ideological language against left-wing governments in Latin America have triggered a wave of domestic criticism toward the Milei administration’s foreign policy[20].
Next, the Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI), in a report titled “Javier Milei and the Global Far Right: Reshaping Argentina’s Foreign Policy,” addressed Argentina’s relations with Israel.
The authors of the report describe the foreign policy of the Milei administration as part of a new wave of the global far right, characterized by opposition to multilateralism, skepticism toward international institutions, and an emphasis on identity-based and security-centered discourses.
The report states that, on issues such as the Gaza war, the Milei government has openly aligned itself with the United States, NATO, and Israel, while distancing Argentina from its more traditional positions in the areas of human rights and balanced diplomacy.
The think tank also refers to Milei’s personal and ideological proximity to Israel and regards the relocation of Argentina’s embassy to Jerusalem as a sign of this alliance.
The report emphasizes that Argentina’s new government views concepts such as human rights, multilateralism, the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and environmental policies as part of the “globalism” it criticizes. Within this same framework, the government has moved to strengthen its relations with pro-Israel right-wing currents.
Another section of the analysis states that Javier Milei, by moving closer to figures such as Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni, and Benjamin Netanyahu, seeks to redefine Argentina within a new axis of conservative and anti-globalization governments. According to the authors, this trend could affect Argentina’s international standing and diplomatic credibility[21].
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, based in the United States, also published an analytical report on far-right policies globally, with specific reference to Javier Milei, the President of Argentina.
In this report, the Milei administration is presented as an example of the connection between right-wing populism, personalized diplomacy, and the strategic reorientation of foreign policy.
The author emphasizes that, by distancing himself from Argentina’s tradition of multilateral diplomacy, Milei has increasingly defined the country’s foreign relations on the basis of ideological alignment with leaders such as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Within this framework, Argentina’s foreign policy is no longer grounded in balance, regionalism, and international institutions, but rather in personal ties, symbolic positions, and opposition to global agendas such as human rights, gender equality, climate justice, and multilateral governance.
The Carnegie report also shows that the Milei government, in international voting—particularly on issues related to human rights, humanitarian access, and the Middle East—has increasingly aligned itself with the United States and Israel.
From the author’s perspective, this approach represents a “high-risk geopolitical gamble” for Argentina, as it ties the country to a particular faction in United States politics and to the Washington–Tel Aviv axis, while simultaneously weakening Argentina’s diplomatic room for maneuver, international credibility, and balanced relations with other global actors[22].
Conclusion
The developments that have taken place during the presidency of Javier Milei indicate that Argentina is undergoing a profound process of transformation in both its foreign policy orientation and, arguably, its broader political identity. This transformation appears to be grounded primarily in ideological alignment with the global far right and in a strategic rapprochement with the Washington–Tel Aviv axis.
Within this framework, Israel is no longer viewed by the Milei administration merely as a diplomatic or economic partner. Rather, it has become an integral component of the new government’s political and ideological worldview.
Argentina’s explicit support for Israeli policies in Gaza, its opposition to initiatives concerning Palestine within the United Nations, and its efforts to relocate the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem all reflect a departure from the country’s historical tradition of adopting more balanced positions regarding the Middle East. This shift is particularly notable given that a significant number of Latin American countries have adopted a more critical stance toward Israeli actions in Gaza.
At the domestic level, the policies pursued by the Milei administration suggest that, alongside the deepening of its external alliances, economic, social, and civic pressures within Argentine society have intensified. Austerity measures, restrictions on protest activities, the growing polarization of political discourse, and the use of security-oriented rhetoric against opponents have led segments of civil society, labor unions, media organizations, and human rights advocates to accuse the government of departing from the human rights legacy that Argentina sought to establish following the end of the military dictatorship.
In such circumstances, the government’s growing proximity to Israel and its emphasis on ideological and anti-multilateralist narratives are no longer perceived merely as foreign policy choices. Rather, they are increasingly understood as elements of a broader model of governance in which concerns relating to security, geopolitical alliances, and ideological confrontation are afforded greater priority than principles such as human rights, balanced diplomacy, and social participation.
From this perspective, the evolution of Argentina’s relationship with Israel under the Milei administration may be viewed not simply as a bilateral diplomatic development, but as part of a wider political and ideological realignment with potentially significant implications for the country’s domestic governance, international positioning, and long-standing commitment to human rights norms and democratic values.
References
[1] AFP. (2025, June 11). Milei says Argentina to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem in 2026. France 24. From: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250611-milei-says-argentina-to-move-israel-embassy-to-jerusalem-in-2026
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025, June 12). Milei says Argentina to move embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2026. Al Jazeera. From: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/12/milei-says-argentina-to-move-embassy-from-tel-aviv-to-jerusalem-in-2026
[3] Gokmen, B., & Gamba, L. (2026, January 12). Argentina halts plan to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem: report. Anadolu Ajansi. From: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/argentina-halts-plan-to-move-israel-embassy-to-jerusalem-report/3796655
[4] Argentina Government. (2024, July 12). Official Statement No. 51. Argentina Government. From: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/comunicado-oficial-numero-51
[5] Foundation for Defense of Democracies. (2024, July 13). Argentina Becomes First Latin American State to Designate Hamas as Terrorist Organization. Foundation for Defense of Democracies. From: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/flash-briefs/2024/07/13/argentina-becomes-first-latin-american-state-to-designate-hamas-as-terrorist-organization/
[6] The Associated Press. (2024, July 12). Argentina designates Hamas a terrorist group in show of support for Israel. CityNews. From: https://halifax.citynews.ca/2024/07/12/argentina-designates-hamas-a-terrorist-group-in-show-of-support-for-israel/
[7] Wintour, P. (2024, September 18). UN members back resolution directing Israel to leave occupied territories. The Guardian. From: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/18/un-general-assembly-resolution-israel-occupied-palestinian-territories
[8] Oladipo, G., & Ambrose, T., & Clinton, J. (2024, May 10). Israel-Gaza war: UN passed resolution for security council to reconsider and support Palestine membership – as it happened. The Guardian. From: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/10/israel-gaza-war-live-rafah-offensive-hamas-unga-new-palestinian-vote
[9] Buenos Aires Herald. (2025, September 12). Argentina one of 10 countries to vote against UN two-state solution for Israel-Palestine. Buenos Aires Herald. From: https://buenosairesherald.com/world/international-relations/argentina-one-of-10-countries-to-vote-against-un-two-state-solution-for-israel-palestine
[10] AJC. (2026, May 1). What To Know About the Isaac Accords. AJC. From: https://www.ajc.org/news/what-to-know-about-the-isaac-accords
[11] Etchebarne, M., & Portnoy, A., & Lustman, J. (2026, April 23). The Isaac Accords: Argentina’s new strategic framework with Israel. DLA Piper. From: https://www.dlapiper.com/en/insights/publications/2026/04/the-isaac-accords-argentina-and-israel
[12] Lorca, J. (2026, April 20). Milei strengthens his alliance with Netanyahu in Israel: ‘We will not be able to coexist with certain cultures. El Pais. From: https://elpais.com/argentina/2026-04-20/milei-refuerza-en-israel-su-alianza-con-netanyahu-con-determinadas-culturas-no-vamos-a-poder-convivir.html
[13] The Associated Press. (2025, August 12). Argentine leader Milei launches initiative to boost Israel-Latin America ties. The Associated Press. From: https://apnews.com/article/israel-latin-america-ties-isaac-accords-milei-469d4db73045a10d550cde4fb1527dc0
[14] Jaureguy, M. (2025, June 25). New front of unions and social organizations march against Milei’s austerity. Buenos Aires Herald. From: https://buenosairesherald.com/politics/new-front-of-unions-and-social-organizations-march-against-mileis-austerity
[15] Debre, I. (2026, April 30). Argentine workers mark May Day with protests over Milei’s labor-law overhaul. The Associated Press. From: https://apnews.com/article/argentina-labor-law-milei-unions-protest-peronism-5f0be19e968d4f894d0fc2b6a30d2037
[16] Cholakian Herrera, L. (2026, April 30). ‘We don’t hate journalists enough’: Milei escalates attacks on Argentine press with lawsuits and bans. Courthouse News Service. From: https://www.courthousenews.com/we-dont-hate-journalists-enough-milei-escalates-attacks-on-argentine-press-with-lawsuits-and-bans/
[17] Peoples Dispatch. (2025, August 13). Thousands march in Argentina to demand an end to the genocide in Gaza. Peoples Dispatch. From: https://peoplesdispatch.org/2025/08/13/thousands-march-in-argentina-to-demand-an-end-to-the-genocide-in-gaza/
[18] WAFA. (2025, June 22). Mass protest in Buenos Aires condemns Israeli aggression and Argentina’s support for Netanyahu. WAFA. From: https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/158597
[19] Jalit, J. (2024, July 1). Why is Argentina becoming a ‘great friend’ of Israel amid its war crimes in Gaza. Middle East Eye. From: https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/argentina-israel-great-friend-gaza-war-crimes-why
[20] Abusidu, E. (2026, April 27). Experts doubt on Milei’s push for the “Isaac Accords” in Israel’s favor. The Palestinian Information Center. From: https://english.palinfo.com/opinion_articles/experts-doubt-on-mileis-push-for-the-isaac-accords-in-israels-favor/
[21] Merke, F., & Pereyra Doval, G. (2024). Javier Milei and the Global Far-Right: Reshaping Argentina’s Foreign Policy. CEBRI. From: https://cebri.org/revista/en/artigo/172/javier-milei-and-the-global-far-right-reshaping-argentinas-foreign-policy
[22] Merke, F. (2026, April 6). Right-Wing Populism and Strategic Realignment: Argentina’s Milei Experiment. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. From: https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2026/04/right-wing-populism-and-strategic-realignment-argentinas-milei-experiment
