Israeli ministers back Argentina's claim to Falkland Islands

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have expressed public support for Argentina’s sovereignty claims over the Falkland Islands (known in Argentina as the Malvinas). Ben-Gvir has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize the islands as occupied Argentine territory and to impose sanctions on the United Kingdom as long as the occupation continues. He further accused the UK of exploiting the islands' oil resources.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has taken a more aggressive stance, demanding the expulsion of the British ambassador and stating that the British mandate over Israel has ended. These statements appear to be a reaction to recent UK government restrictions on goods originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This diplomatic friction marks a potential shift in Israel’s traditional relationship with its European ally, the United Kingdom.