He confirmed it in a speech delivered during a special session of the Israeli parliament convened in his honor
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also participated with a hoarse voice in the special session of parliament. "Javier, you're a true friend," he said.
"We both woke up with a sore throat. The question is: who infected whom? But we also infected each other with friendship, both on a personal level and between our nations."
President Javier Milei delivered a major speech on Wednesday night before the Knesset, in which he expressed his support for Israel in its war with the terrorist group Hamas and condemned what he described as the "barbarism" of the October 7 terrorist attack. In that context, he announced that the Argentine embassy will be moved to Jerusalem in 2026.
Milei's statements took place during a special session of the Israeli parliament convened in his honor, in the context of an official visit to the State of Israel that included a prayer at the Western Wall and meetings with senior Israeli government officials.
"Unfortunately, I don't have the fortune of visiting Israel in times of peace," Milei stated, adding: "On October 7, the people of Israel were victims of a barbaric attack. We believed we had finally put an end to that barbarism, but the tragedy woke us from that dream."
He also mentioned that four Argentine citizens remain kidnapped by Hamas and assured that his government will continue to work intensively to secure their release.
The libertarian leader also warned about the threats facing Western democracies. "Whether we like it or not, the West is being put to the test. Various forms of barbaric tyranny are attacking us and have no relation to democracy," he stated.
Milei also launched harsh criticism against Hamas activist Greta Thunberg, who was deported from Israel on Tuesday after attempting to reach Gaza on a yacht along with several public figures, accusing her of seeking media attention while Israeli and Argentine citizens remain kidnapped in inhumane conditions.
"We infected each other with a great belief in the free market and freedom," the Israeli prime minister assured, while Milei laughed.
Netanyahu highlighted Milei's decisions on the international stage, especially the significant shift in Argentina's behavior in UN votes. "This cooperation between our countries is strengthening, and your visit will only deepen it further," he stated. Although 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles) physically separate both countries, "our hearts are united," he added.
The prime minister also emphasized Milei's firm support for Israel in what he described as a legitimate war against terrorism. "For 20 months, we've been fighting against human monsters," he said, alluding to the October 7 attacks.
"You clearly said: "We're with you in the fight against the forces of darkness." This is a just war like no other. Terrorism seeks to drag us back to the darkness of the Middle Ages, and we'll fight it with all our strength," he added.
In a more relaxed moment of the session, Netanyahu took the opportunity to joke with Milei about Argentine soccer idols and asked him a classic question: "Who is number 10, Maradona or Messi?" Milei's laughter quickly followed, and Netanyahu added jokingly: "That could start a serious fight."
