Argentina to Relocate Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem by 2026
President Javier Milei announces the planned move during an official state visit to Israel.
Argentine President Javier Milei announced on June 11, 2025, that Argentina will relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2026. During a speech in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Milei expressed pride in this decision, affirming Argentina's commitment to establish its diplomatic presence in the city.
Currently, Argentina's embassy is situated near Tel Aviv, a location common among many countries to maintain a neutral stance amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The status of Jerusalem is one of the most contentious issues in this conflict, with Israel claiming the city as its undivided capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Israel has controlled East Jerusalem since the Six-Day War in 1967, a move that has not been recognized by the international community.
Several nations, including the United States, Paraguay, Guatemala, and Kosovo, have previously moved their embassies to Jerusalem, defying the predominant international consensus that calls for a negotiated settlement regarding the city's status.
In 2017, then-US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and authorized the US embassy's move to the city in May 2018, a decision that ignited widespread Palestinian protests and criticism from various global leaders.
The intended move by Argentina is notable as most diplomatic missions in Israel are based in Tel Aviv, a decision often made to avoid complicating peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
President Milei's announcement reflects a shift in Argentina's foreign policy, aligning it with a select group of countries that have endorsed the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Currently, Argentina's embassy is situated near Tel Aviv, a location common among many countries to maintain a neutral stance amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The status of Jerusalem is one of the most contentious issues in this conflict, with Israel claiming the city as its undivided capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Israel has controlled East Jerusalem since the Six-Day War in 1967, a move that has not been recognized by the international community.
Several nations, including the United States, Paraguay, Guatemala, and Kosovo, have previously moved their embassies to Jerusalem, defying the predominant international consensus that calls for a negotiated settlement regarding the city's status.
In 2017, then-US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and authorized the US embassy's move to the city in May 2018, a decision that ignited widespread Palestinian protests and criticism from various global leaders.
The intended move by Argentina is notable as most diplomatic missions in Israel are based in Tel Aviv, a decision often made to avoid complicating peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
President Milei's announcement reflects a shift in Argentina's foreign policy, aligning it with a select group of countries that have endorsed the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
