‘I will always support Israel’ – Argentina’s president prays at Western Wall, meets Herzog

Argentinian President Javier Milei meets with Israel’s president Tuesday on state visit that kicked off with prayer at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.

By World Israel News Staff

Argentinian President Javier Milei arrived in Israel Monday, kicking off his second state visit to the country since he took office in December 2023.

Milei, a longtime supporter of the Jewish state, began his visit to Israel in Jerusalem, travelling directly from Ben Gurion International Airport to the Old City, as he did during his first state visit.

Accompanying the president was a senior delegation from Argentina, including Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, Presidential Secretary Karina Milei, and Argentine Ambassador to Israel Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish and his wife.

The president was welcomed at the Western Wall Plaza by the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and the Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Soli) Eliav.

The two lauded the president on his resolute support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel and expressed deep appreciation for the strong ties he maintains with Jews and Israel.

During the visit, the president was visibly moved. He recited a chapter of Psalms together with the rabbi,and offered a special prayer for the return of the hostages to their families.

“I thank you for the warm and heartfelt welcome – I will always support the people of Israel with all my heart because this is the just cause for the West as well,” Milei said.

As in his previous visit, he is expected to return to the Western Wall toward the end of his trip on Thursday evening alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the conclusion of that visit, the president recited a personal prayer and signed the guest book with the words: “Liberty to Zion.”

On Tuesday, Milei met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the president’s residence in Jerusalem.

“During your presidency, my friend Milei, our relations have reached new heights – and will continue to rise. You love Israel – and we love you,” said Herzog.

Milei noted during the meeting that 27 Argentinian nationals were murdered on October 7, 2023, with 21 others who were taken hostage.

“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 and 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,” he added.