‘Get your hand off that shirt’: Fans react as Israel backs Argentina in final; Free Palestinian slogans galore | Today’s news

Argentina has received official support from Israel ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wished Lionel Messi “good luck”.

Prime Minister Netanyahu met in his office with Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, Argentina’s ambassador to Israel. He wished “great success” for Messi’s Argentina in the World Cup final.

According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s official tweet, Ambassador Wahnish delivered an audio greeting to Netanyahu from Argentine President Javier Milea.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially backed Argentina by wishing Lionel Messi and the team “great success” in the World Cup finals.

Many Argentine fans expressed strong opposition to the support for Israel on social media, with comments reflecting a desire for solidarity with Palestine and rejecting support from Israeli officials.

Relations between Argentina and Israel are at an all-time high, with Argentina closely aligned with Israel, including plans to relocate embassies and counter-terrorism cooperation since the Isaac Accords began.

Critics, particularly from left-wing factions and Palestinian solidarity groups, say Argentina’s support for Israel threatens its traditional balanced diplomacy and could increase the risks of terrorism.

In an audio greeting, Argentine President Javier Milei recognized Netanyahu as a friend and expressed his joy at Israel’s support, emphasizing the friendly relations between the two nations.

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“You are my friend, you always support us. I was happy to hear that you support Argentina because of me,” Milei apparently said in the audio message.

Netanyahu’s response to Milea was: “Javier, you are a friend. A true friend. You are a great friend, we support you, we support Argentina in many ways, including tomorrow. Good luck!”

Reaction on social networks

Social media users shared strong reactions to Israel’s support for Argentina ahead of the final.

“Why don’t you leave Palestine and settle in Argentina instead of Palestine, you killer of children, you cursed one?” one of them asked.

“We Argentinians don’t give a damn about supporting Israel. Stay away from our country,” wrote another user.

Another user wrote: “We do not support Israel. We, the Argentine people, want a free Palestine.”

Another Argentinian fan wrote: “Hands stained with innocent blood have soiled our national team jersey. We don’t need any genocidal figure to wish us luck. I’m canceling this scumbag!”

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“We do not support Israel. We only have a condescending president who owes his position to the international alt-right,” wrote another.

“This is disgusting. We don’t want a genocidal maniac supporting us. Free Palestine,” another user wrote.

“Take your hand off that shirt, you murderer. Whoever gave it to you doesn’t represent us,” another Argentina fan blasted.

One Israeli citizen asked: “What about supporting our national team? We haven’t played in the World Cup since 1970.”

Argentine-Israeli relations

Relations between Israel and Argentina are currently at an all-time high. Argentina moved from neutrality to a strong Israeli bond.

Isaac Accords, launched in April 2026, expand counter-terrorism cooperation. Milei also planned to move the Argentine embassy to West Jerusalem. Argentina now consistently votes alongside Israel at the UN.

Ties draw from Argentina’s large Jewish diaspora community. The shared trauma includes the Buenos Aires bombings of 1992 and 1994. However, this alignment faces considerable domestic and regional criticism.

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Left-wing leaders say Milei has abandoned Argentina’s traditional balanced diplomacy. Critics warn of the risks of terrorism, which could represent a firm stand against Iran. Palestinian solidarity groups condemn the perceived indifference to the Gaza crisis. Opposition lawmakers accuse Milei of circumventing congressional approval.

Diplomatic friction also arose over disputes over Falklands drilling. Public skepticism remains about Milei’s self-proclaimed “Zionist President” brand.