‘Take your hand off that T-shirt’: Fans react as Israel supports Argentina in final; Free Palestine slogans galore
Social media responses to Israel's support ahead of the World Cup reveal public outrage and calls for Palestinian freedom. Messi's Argentina face Spain in the final tonight.
Argentina have received official support from Israel ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wished Lionel Messi ‘best of luck’.
PM Netanyahu met Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish, the Ambassador of Argentina to Israel, in his office. He wished “great success” to Messi’s Argentina in the World Cup final.
According to an official tweet by the Prime Minister of Israel, Ambassador Wahnish presented Netanyahu with an audio greeting from the President of Argentina, Javier Milei.
Quick answers to key questions
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially supported Argentina by wishing Lionel Messi and the team 'great success' in the World Cup final.
Many Argentine fans expressed strong opposition on social media to Israel's support, with comments reflecting a desire for solidarity with Palestine and rejecting the endorsement from Israeli officials.
Argentina-Israel relations are at a historic high, with Argentina aligning closely with Israel, including plans for embassy relocation and cooperation against terrorism since the launch of the Isaac Accords.
Critics, particularly from left-wing factions and Palestinian solidarity groups, argue that Argentina's support for Israel compromises its traditional balanced diplomacy and could heighten terrorism risks.
In an audio greeting, Argentine President Javier Milei acknowledged Netanyahu as a friend and expressed happiness over Israel's support, underscoring the friendly relations between the two nations.
"You are my friend, always supporting us. I was happy to hear that you are rooting for Argentina because of me," Milei apparently said in the audio message.
Netanyahu’s reply to Milei was: "Javier, you are a friend. A true friend. You are a great friend, we support you, we support Argentina in so many ways, including tomorrow. Good luck!"
Social Media Reaction
Social media users have 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 child killer, you cursed one?” asked one of them.
“We, Argentinians, don't give a f*ck about Israel’s support. Stay away from our country,” wrote another user.
Another user wrote, “We don't support Israel. We, the Argentinian people, want a free Palestina.”
Another Argentina fan wrote, “Hands stained with innocent blood soil our national team's jersey. We don't need any genocidal figure wishing us luck. I cancel the jinx!”
“We don't support Israel. We just have a bootlicking president that owes his position to the international alt right,” wrote another.
“This is disgusting. We don't want a genocidal maniac supporting us. Free Palestine,” posted another user.
“Take your hand off that T-shirt, you murderer. The person who gave it to you doesn't represent us,” blasted another Argentine fan.
An Israeli citizen asked, “And … what about support for our national team? We haven't played in a World Cup since 1970.”
Argentina-Israel Relations
Israel-Argentina relations are currently at an historic high point. Argentina has shifted from neutrality towards firm Israeli alignment.
The Isaac Accords, launched in April 2026, expand counterterrorism cooperation. Milei has also scheduled the relocation of Argentina's embassy to West Jerusalem. Argentina now consistently votes alongside Israel at the UN.
Ties draw on Argentina's large Jewish diaspora community. Shared trauma includes the 1992 and 1994 Buenos Aires bombings. However, this alignment faces considerable domestic and regional criticism.
Left-wing leaders argue that Milei abandoned Argentina's traditional balanced diplomacy. Critics warn of terrorism risks from firmly opposing Iran. Palestinian solidarity groups condemn perceived indifference towards Gaza's crisis. Opposition lawmakers accuse Milei of bypassing congressional approval.
Diplomatic friction has also emerged over Falklands drilling disputes. Public scepticism persists regarding Milei's self-declared "Zionist president" branding.
About the Author
Sounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. <br><br> Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. <br><br> Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. <br><br> At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and credibility. <br><br> Outside daily reporting, he explores storytelling across formats including podcasts, filmmaking and narrative non-fiction. Through his journalism, Sounak aims to document the rhythms of modern entertainment and sports while maintaining rigorous editorial integrity. <br><br> Sounak continues to develop audience-focused journalism that connects speed with substance in a rapidly-changing information environment. His work seeks clarity, trust and lasting public value in every story he reports.
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