Latin American Legislators Back 'Isaac Accords' and Jerusalem Embassy Moves in Major Diplomatic Shift

Legislators from more than a dozen Latin American nations concluded a landmark three-day conference in Buenos Aires on June 30, 2026, by signing a joint resolution to back the expansion of the "Isaac Accords." The gathering, known as the Latin America Chairmen's Conference, brought together over 20 lawmakers, ambassadors, and political figures from countries including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rica.[1]

The central thrust of the resolution is a coordinated push to deepen regional cooperation with Israel and to encourage Latin American governments to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's undivided capital by relocating their embassies there.

This legislative momentum marks a significant geopolitical realignment in the Western Hemisphere. For decades, Latin American voting blocs at the United Nations have frequently leaned away from Israel. The new coalition aims to reverse that trend, anchoring a new era of strategic partnerships built on shared economic, technological, and security interests.

The Isaac Accords were officially launched in Jerusalem on April 19, 2026, by Argentine President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Modeled explicitly after the 2020 Abraham Accords—which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states—the Isaac Accords seek to create a parallel framework for the Americas.[2][3]

The initiative's origins trace back to Milei's receipt of the 2025 Genesis Prize, an award often referred to as the "Jewish Nobel." Milei directed the $1 million monetary component of the award to serve as seed funding for a new New York-based nonprofit, the American Friends of Isaac Accords (AFOIA), which helps implement the framework's goals across the region.[3][4]

While the Abraham Accords focused on historic normalization, the Isaac Accords are designed to deepen existing and emerging partnerships. The framework mandates coordinated action against terrorism, antisemitism, and drug trafficking, while actively promoting economic openness and technological exchange.[2][4]

A major driver for the security component is the shared goal of countering Iran's influence. Participating nations have pledged to enhance intelligence-sharing and law enforcement coordination to target Iranian proxy networks, such as Hezbollah, which have historically maintained an operational presence in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in the Tri-Border Area.[2]

Beyond security, the Accords serve as a massive economic and technological engine. Latin American nations are eager to tap into Israel's globally recognized expertise in high-tech innovation, agriculture, irrigation, and water management—sectors critical to the region's developing economies.[3]

Tangible bilateral agreements are already materializing. In April 2026, Argentina and Israel signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence. The agreement covers supercomputing infrastructure, AI deployment in civilian sectors, and joint research between Israel's National AI Headquarters and Argentina's science ministries.[5]

Physical connectivity is also expanding to support these new diplomatic ties. Israel's national carrier, El Al, announced plans to launch its first-ever South American service, with non-stop flights between Tel Aviv and Buenos Aires scheduled to begin in late 2026.[5]

The push for embassy relocations to Jerusalem is viewed by organizers as the ultimate diplomatic seal of participation in the Isaac Accords. By moving their embassies, these nations would align themselves with a select group of countries, including the United States, Guatemala, and Honduras, that have already made the move.

The ideological framing of the Accords relies heavily on faith-based diplomacy and shared cultural roots. At the Buenos Aires conference, President Milei framed the initiative as a civilizational choice, stating that the region faces an "existential" struggle where "there is no room for neutrality."[1]

The Israel Allies Foundation (IAF), which co-hosted the conference, has been instrumental in mobilizing this support. Figures like Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro praised the effort to unite Christians and Jews around faith-based diplomacy, which he credited as the driving force behind nations standing up against antisemitism.[1]

The legislative groundwork is expanding rapidly. The Brazil-Israel Parliamentary Caucus recently became the first legislative group in Latin America to sign the Isaac Accords Declaration of Shared Principles, creating a formal template for cooperation in economic development and healthcare.[3]

Looking ahead, the architects of the Isaac Accords aim to institutionalize these gains through financial frameworks. In June 2026, Israel signed a non-binding letter of intent with the Inter-American Development Bank to create an Isaac Accords-linked investment framework for Latin America and the Caribbean, signaling that this diplomatic shift will be backed by substantial capital.[3]