“The partnership between our countries, especially in the fight against antisemitism and terror, is critical.”

President Milei: “Israel, in its rejection of the cowardly surrender in the face of terrorism is currently a lighthouse shining a light on the path of freedom.”

President Isaac Herzog today, Tuesday, met with President Javier Milei, who was making a state visit to Israel.

President Herzog welcomed President Milei at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem in a special ceremony with an honor guard, and the playing of both national anthems.

Before the two presidents went on to hold a bilateral working meetings, the two made public statements.

President Herzog: “Welcome, my friend President Javier Milei, to Israel. On behalf of the State of Israel – I am very pleased to host you again. Just a few months ago, we marked 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Argentina and Israel – in a ceremony I had the honor to participate in, alongside our friend Ambassador Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish. I am glad that thanks to your leadership, my friend Mr. President, and your friendship – after all, your name “Javier” resembles the Hebrew word for “friend” – we are able today to mark not only 75 years of bilateral relations, but also a historic peak in the warm relations between our countries.”

“The relations between Argentina and Israel have deep historical roots. A key milestone among them was the establishment of the Argentine Embassy in Israel – the first among Latin American nations. Additionally, both the Jewish community in Argentina and the Argentine community in Israel represent magnificent bridges that contribute to the strong alliance between our nations.

“During your presidency, my friend Milei, our relations have reached new heights – and will continue to rise. You love Israel – and we love you. A wonderful example of the strengthening of relations between our countries, which you are leading with determination and commitment, is your initiative – the new and important Memorandum of Understanding, concerning “the protection of liberty and democracy, and the fight against terror and antisemitism.”

“The partnership between our countries, especially in the fight against antisemitism and terror, is critical – and this memorandum once again proves how courageous an ally you are in this cause.

“I am confident that the coming year – in which Argentina will take over the presidency of the IHRA from Israel – will showcase your firm agenda on the matter.

“Mr. President, it is no secret that true friends are measured in times of crisis. The Jewish people are a people who remember. The State of Israel, and I at its head, will always remember your standing by Israel and your arrival here to stand with us in our time of great hardship. We will always remember your resolute calls and actions for the immediate return of all the hostages, including those who hold Argentine citizenship. Hostages who are still being tortured, even at this very moment – by Hamas murderers, criminals against humanity.

“Together with you, my friend President, I cry out from here to all humanity – to act by every means and with all strength, and to bring about the urgent release of all the hostages home – to Israel. Some for healing and returning to their homes, and some to be laid to rest in dignity. Until the very last of them!

“This is a duty placed on all of humanity – not to rest and not to be silent until all the hostages return to their homeland.

“With your permission, I now call on all the leaders of the free world—to stand with unified, determined resolve—and to declare unequivocally: no diplomatic progress can be made until the hostages are released. Hamas and its supporters, even at the state level, see great success in dividing us—the nations that seek stability, quiet, and peace. But such a unified front will be not only moral—it will also be effective. Effective for the release of the hostages—and for changing the reality in our region.

“The State of Israel will always remember your unequivocal support for Israel’s right to defend itself; your determination to see with your own eyes the horrific atrocities that befell the citizens of Israel in the communities of the Western Negev. I will never forget your tears of sorrow during our joint visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz; nor your decision to declare two days of mourning in Argentina upon learning of the bitter fate of the Bibas family—Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel, of blessed memory—who were brutally murdered by vile terrorists in an act of unmatched cruelty.

“I could not help but think of them—of the Bibas family—when I recently visited the bereaved family of Yaron Lischinsky, a diplomat at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, who was murdered by a vile terrorist, together with his partner, Sarah Milgrim, a young American woman who also worked with him. Yaron’s father—Daniel—is a proud Argentine citizen, who grew up in Argentina. My conversation with him, in the shadow of the terrible tragedy that struck his family, also brought to light the deep bond—sometimes a painful one—between our two countries.

“Mr. President, as you know, the entire family of nations now finds itself at the heart of a historic challenge. The Iranian octopus of evil is growing stronger and sending its tentacles of hatred and terror across the globe, including through its proxies—Hamas, Hezbollah, and of course, the Houthis, who regularly fire missiles at Israeli civilians and whose impact on global shipping routes has harmed the entire world economy.

“I take this opportunity, by your side, Mr. President, to stress emphatically: In the face of the Iranian threat—a threat to all humanity—we must stand united, determined, and resolute. Against terror, against hatred and antisemitism, and most urgently: against Iran’s nuclear program.

“Israel cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran. Our allies cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran. The world cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran.

“The State of Israel greatly appreciates your country’s declaration that Hezbollah and Hamas are terrorist organizations; and we are certain that the same is true for the driving force behind these terror groups—the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

“Mr. President, one of the famous teachings of the great Lubavitcher Rebbe is that “it is the small acts, done on a daily basis, that turn ‘me and you’ into ‘us.’” The many actions you have taken—and continue to take—give practical expression to the Rebbe’s words.

“These are important, moral, and ethical acts that turn two individuals—or in this case, two nations—from “me and you” into “us.”You are a true friend. And your words of truth ring clear. I thank you for your commitment to truth and for the many efforts you make to stand with us and to reflect reality as it is.

“On my behalf and on behalf of the entire People of Israel, I wish you, your country, and the entire Argentine people “blessing and success.”

I have no doubt that under your leadership, our relations will continue to grow, to deepen, and to flourish—in the areas of tourism, trade, and economy, of course—for the benefit of the Argentine and Israeli peoples, for the benefit of the cherished Jewish community in Argentina, and for the benefit of the entire free world that longs for peace and prosperity. Thank you very much, President Milei. Thank you very much, Javier—a true friend of Israel.”

President Milei: “I would first like to thank President Herzog for the invitation, especially at this time of such great fatigue and pain for the people of Israel.

“The friendship between our two states and peoples is a diplomatic pillar of our administration. As a nation, we wish to stand firmly by your side as you go through these somber days. We will not give in in the face of criticism arising out of cowardly attitudes or directly out of complicity with barbarity. The fight against terrorism is a cause that unites us as nations and to which we are firmly committed. In addition to the terrible bombings of the AMIA and the Israeli Embassy perpetrated on our territory, the heinous attack of October 7 also included 27 Argentinian citizens who lost the lives, and also 21 were kidnapped. We continue to demand the unconditional return of the four Argentines who are still held captive, Eitan Horn, Ariel and David Cunio, and Lior Rudaeff, and all those kidnapped, still held by the terrorist organization Hamas.

“Israel, in its rejection of the cowardly surrender in the face of terrorism is currently a lighthouse shining a light on the path of freedom and a commitment to civilization. Argentina, with its own epic in defense of freedom, also intends to shine light in the same direction.

“We hope to be able to continue to enhance the ties between our nations based on these common goals and long standing ties.

“The future needs our collaboration in order to spread light and keep the darkness at bay. We will never give up and demanding the unconditional release of all those kidnapped of still held, and we also insist on accompanying the people of Israel in these tragic years.

“Once again, I thank the Israeli President for this generous invitation, and I trust that this visit will be a milestone in the strengthening the friendship between Argentina and Israel.

“May G-d bless Israel. May G-d bless Argentina. And may the force of Heaven be with us. Long live freedom!”