Argentina’s Far-Right President Publicly Celebrated Israel’s “Independence Day” When Israel Expelled Palestinians From Their Homes
“I am pleased to say that Argentina and Israel are not merely partners, but friendly nations,” Milei said during the ceremony.
Argentina’s far-right president Javier Milei has celebrated Israel’s “Independence Day” dancing, singing and lighting a torch at the opening ceremony despite Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Israel’s “Independence Day” marks the establishment of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948, and Israel's expulsion on May 15, 1948, of at least 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and lands and capturing 78% of historic Palestine, known as “Nakba” or catastrophe in Arabic, according to Al Jazeera.
On April 21, Milei, who has previously called himself "the most Zionist president in the world," participated prominently in Israel's 78th Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem and was seen dancing and singing during the celebration.
He became the first foreign leader to light up one of the 12 torches during the torch-lighting ceremony, a responsibility given to people who made “outstanding contributions” to Israel.
“I am pleased to say that Argentina and Israel are not merely partners, but friendly nations,” Milei said during the ceremony.
He also received Israel's Presidential Medal of Honor from Israeli president Isaac Herzog and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Bar-Ilan University.
During the same visit, Milei and Israeli pime minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the "Isaac Accords," a series of bilateral agreements on security, AI and trade cooperation, named after the Abraham Accords, which normalized ties between Israel and several Arab countries in 2020.
The accords also aim to expand pro-Israel diplomacy across Latin America, with Uruguay, Panama and Costa Rica identified as initial partners.
This marks Milei’s third visit to Israel since taking office.
He has strengthened ties with Israel despite Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and announced plans to move Argentina’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Most countries do not recognize Israel's sovereignty over East Jerusalem and have kept their Israeli embassies in Tel Aviv due to Jerusalem’s disputed status under international law.
