Argentina to Move Embassy to Jerusalem by 2026
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar shared with the Argentine media outlet Infobae that Argentina plans to finalize its embassy relocation to Jerusalem by May 2026.
During his current visit to Argentina, Saar has wrapped up a busy tour that started earlier in the week, which included a stop in Paraguay. There, he met with the conservative President Santiago Peña and spoke out in Congress against the connections between Venezuela’s socialist regime under Maduro and groups like Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
Arriving in Argentina on Tuesday, Saar’s two-day itinerary included a meeting with President Javier Milei and participation in various events. On Tuesday evening, he and Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno took part in the Argentina-Israel Economic Forum held in Buenos Aires. During this forum, it was confirmed that the embassy move will take place next year, with President Milei expressing his intention to lead the Argentine delegation for the ceremony. “We hope, with God’s help, it will be in April or May,” Saar told Infobae.
Quirno mentioned, “After receiving an invitation this morning from the Foreign Minister, we are planning a visit to Israel in February 2026. We’re also organizing another official visit from the President, during which we will finalize the embassy relocation to Jerusalem.” Saar replied, “Minister, we’re looking forward to our trip to Israel in February. We hope to achieve progress in the upcoming months that contributes to the success of the visit. President Milei will also inaugurate the new embassy in Jerusalem, the capital of David.”
Since assuming office in December 2023, President Milei has initiated a “realignment” of Argentina’s foreign relations, focusing on establishing closer ties with the United States and Israel, effectively moving away from nearly two decades of socialist policies that fostered connections with authoritarian countries including China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela.
During his administration, Milei made the significant announcement regarding the embassy’s relocation from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This decision follows the precedent set by President Trump, who recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017 and subsequently moved the U.S. embassy there in 2018.
Saar characterized the relationship between Israel and Argentina as “extraordinary,” sharing that his grandfather, who immigrated to Argentina nearly a century ago, made a successful life for himself despite facing initial hardships. “Argentina has consistently supported Israel during difficult times over the past two years, and we won’t forget this commitment. We believe in Argentina’s future under President Milei,” Saar remarked, emphasizing Israel’s goal to boost investments in Argentina significantly.
Additionally, Saar is set to address an event celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Jewish Association of Argentina (DAIA) and will participate in a memorial event for the victims of two terrorist attacks by Hezbollah in the 1990s that targeted the Jewish community in Buenos Aires.
