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Argentina’s Javier Milei Expresses Unwavering Commitment to the State of Israel
By: A7 News – IsraelNationalNews.com
Argentina’s President Javier Milei on Saturday night expressed support for Israel following the Iranian attack on the Jewish state.
“Argentina expresses solidarity and unwavering commitment to the State of Israel, in view of the attacks initiated by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
“The Argentine Republic recognizes the right of nation states to defend themselves, and firmly supports the State of Israel in defending its sovereignty, especially against regimes that promote terrorism and seek to destroy Western civilization,” added Milei.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz thanked the Argentine President and wrote on social media, “Thank you President Milei. Today, the entire free world must support Israel against the Iranian axis of evil.”
Milei is considered an avid supporter of the state of Israel and announced that he intends to move Argentina’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
In his election campaign, the President promised that his first visit as a president abroad would be to Israel – a promise he kept.
MK Danny Danon, Israel’s former Ambassador to the United Nations, responded early Sunday morning to Iran’s missile attack on Israel.
The attack began at 10:40p.m. Saturday night, and according to US sources will likely include 400-500 UAVs, in addition to missiles.
“In the face of escalating aggression from Iran against the State of Israel, we stand resolute and unwavering,” he began. “Just as we have triumphed over challenges and hostilities in the past, we are prepared to meet this threat from the fanatical Ayatollahs of Iran head-on.”
“Our resolve remains unshaken, and our commitment to defending our sovereignty and ensuring the safety of our citizens is of the highest priority. We will respond with clarity and determination, standing tall and firm against any attempts to undermine our sovereignty and security.
“Together, we will overcome this challenge, just as we have overcome others before.”
IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, responded late Saturday night to Iran’s attack on Israel, which saw the launch of over 100 UAVs, as well as cruise missiles.
“Iran has launched a direct attack from Iranian soil toward the State of Israel,” Hagari said. “We are closely monitoring Iranian killer drones that are en-route to Israel sent by Iran.”
He stressed, “This is a severe and dangerous escalation.”
“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large- scale attack from Iran.
“Together with our partners, the Israel Defense Forces is operating at full-force to defend the State of Israel and the people of Israel. This is a mission that we are determined and ready to fulfill.”
Hagari explained, “Iran has launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from its territory toward the State of Israel. We are monitoring these aerial threats – this is a threat that takes several hours to reach Israeli territory. The IDF and the Israeli Air Force are implementing the plan we prepared in advance.”
“As part of the preparations, GPS services will not be available in certain areas – the disruption is deliberate and according to plan. If we detect additional threats with a shorter arrival time, we will update you immediately.”
He stressed, “Continue to act responsibly and calmly, as you have done so far, and be sure to follow the guidelines. The IDF is prepared and ready across all its defensive and offensive systems; we have prepared for a variety of scenarios in advance.”
“We are operating in close cooperation with the U.S and our partners in the region to counter the launches and intercept them. We have several layers of protection from the Israeli Air Force and Navy as well as additional layers of protection from the U.S. military. We have an excellent Aerial Defense Array which is fully operational, but remember – the defense is not hermetic. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere to the guidelines and follow the orders of the Home Front Command – they save lives.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to notify the US ahead of any potential response to the Iranian attack, a US official told CNN on Saturday night.
The two had spoken hours after Iran had launched its massive barrage of drones and missiles at Israel.
After the conversation, Gallant wrote on social media, “Spoke with Secretary Austin about Israel’s defensive operations in the face of Iran’s attack. We are prepared for any further threats, and are determined to defend our citizens.”
“Thank you to Secretary Austin and the US Administration for standing boldly with Israel,” he added.
Gallant and Austin had previously spoken on Thursday night. In a readout following the call, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said that Austin reiterated during the conversation with Gallant “ironclad US support for Israel’s defense in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies.”
“Echoing President Biden’s unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a senior administration official and a senior defense official told NBC News on Saturday night that there is concern among top US officials that Israel could do something quickly in response to Iran’s attacks without thinking through potential fallout afterward.
Biden has privately expressed concern that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to drag the US more deeply into a broader conflict, according to three people familiar with his comments.
Those concerns stem in part from the administration’s views of the approach Israel has taken to its war against Hamas, as well as the attack in Damascus.
While the White House believes the Israelis are not looking for a wider war or a direct war with Iran, particularly given the resources they have fighting the war in Gaza, US officials can’t be certain, the senior administration official said. (IsraelNationalNews.com)
