Politics

Netanyahu welcomes Milei’s intent to declare Hamas as terrorist organization

Jerusalem, Feb 7 (EFE).- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting on Wednesday welcomed Argentinian President Javier Milei’s recent intent to declare the Islamist group Hamas as a terrorist organization.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, met with Argentinian President Javier Milei … thanked (him) for his decision to declare Hamas a terrorist organization and for his unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself,” Netanyahu’s press office said in a statement.

During the meeting, Netanyahu emphasized the shared “desire” of Israel and Argentina for “prosperity, security, and peace.”

“We know that the greatest challenge to peace in our area, but also in yours, is Iran. And we appreciate the cooperation that we are doing with you in security and diplomacy,” he said.

Netanyahu, who called Argentina “a great friend of the Jewish state,” expressed “deep” appreciation for the country’s “stalwart” support for Israel, which he said is expressed in “so many forms.”

“We are delighted with your decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move your diplomatic post there, and also, of course, an embassy,” the Israeli leader said.

Upon his arrival in Israel on Tuesday, Milei announced his decision to move the Argentinian embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, something considered controversial in international politics.

When Israel unilaterally annexed the eastern half of Jerusalem in 1980 – occupied since 1967 – the international community moved embassies to Tel Aviv in protest.

However, since former President Donald Trump reopened the US embassy in Jerusalem in 2018, other countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Kosovo followed, and some others including Hungary expressed intention to do so.

The leaders also discussed enhancing “free markets” and agreed to create joint trade delegations to promote free trade between Israel and Argentina.

Before meeting with Netanyahu, Milei also met with Israeli businessmen, and was scheduled to visit the Holocaust Museum and tour the Old City of Jerusalem later in the day.

On Thursday, Milei is expected to visit the Nir Oz kibbutz, a community heavily affected by the Oct. 7 attack and home to a significant number of Israeli-Argentinians. EFE

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