Antidemocratic: 'Intellectuals' reject Javier Milei's invitation to Netanyahu

A group of "intellectuals," artists, and academics signed an open letter rejecting the invitation extended by President Javier Milei to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The signatories include Graciela Fernández Meijide, Hilda Sabato, José Emilio Burucúa, and Mariano Llinás.

Although the text seeks to express a critical position on the conflict in the Middle East, its content and form have been questioned for adopting a tone that many consider undemocratic and deeply delegitimizing of both Argentine and Israeli institutions.

In the letter, Netanyahu is described as an "international criminal" and it is argued that his possible visit implies "complicity with barbarism."

The signatories do not limit themselves to a specific criticism of the situation in Gaza, but rather extend their accusations to the Argentine government, which they accuse of betraying the country's humanist history and of aligning itself with "autocracies" and "human rights violations."

Regardless of one's opinion about Netanyahu's leadership or Israeli policy, the letter has been harshly criticized for its exclusionary tone and its lack of respect for two essential principles of the democratic order: the sovereign right of a country to define its foreign policy, and the legitimacy of governments elected by popular vote.

Benjamin Netanyahu was elected prime minister through free elections in Israel, an internationally recognized parliamentary democracy. Likewise, Javier Milei was elected by a wide majority in a transparent electoral process.

Publicly condemning a diplomatic act between two democratic leaders, and suggesting that the Argentine president is "tarnishing the values of freedom," implies an attempt to set ideological boundaries on the actions of a government that operates within the constitutional framework.

Additionally, some observers warn that the text constitutes a form of interference in the internal affairs of another nation. Accusing Netanyahu of serious crimes without a final judicial sentence not only undermines the principle of presumption of innocence, but also becomes problematic when used as a basis to deny the possibility of an official visit.