Israel and Argentina have launched a direct flight starting in November, operating twice a week between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires. The move aims to boost ties between the two countries under far-right President Javier Milei and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel's national carrier El Al opened bookings on May 7 for the 12,000-kilometer route, the longest in the airline's history. The 16.5-hour journey is reportedly driven more by political ambitions than commercial viability.

The Israeli regime is aggressively expanding its geopolitical footprint in Latin America amid growing international isolation following its genocidal war on Gaza. Analyst Ihab Jabarin stated: "Israel's moral image has completely eroded. The logic now is: 'you may not like us, but you need us.'" Israel is leveraging its advanced military and surveillance technologies to secure alliances.

The direct flight also serves a practical security purpose: bypassing potential arrest warrants in Europe. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other officials over alleged war crimes. Latin America is seen as a "politically more flexible space" compared to rights-focused Europe.

The project faces criticism in both countries. In Israel, the transport ministry warned that diverting Boeing 787 Dreamliners from profitable US routes could raise ticket prices. In Argentina, left-wing congresswoman Myriam Bregman accused Milei's government of dragging the country into an "imperialist war" without congressional approval.

Additionally, Israeli tourists, including recently discharged soldiers, have been blamed for devastating fires in Patagonia. In January 2026, a massive blaze destroyed 77,000 hectares, leading to the arrest of an Israeli tourist.

Source: www.aljazeera.com