Israeli ministers call for UK sanctions, Falklands

Senior Israeli ministers have called for sanctions against the United Kingdom and urged recognition of Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The strong reaction follows an announcement that the UK government plans to impose a trade ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was among the most vocal, posting on social media platform X on Monday, September 7, 2026, that "It's time for the State of Israel to publicly recognise that the Malvinas Islands are Argentine territory under occupation, which the British violently stole from the Argentine people." He further accused Britain of "stealing money" from Argentines through oil drilling in the disputed territory and called for the expulsion of the British ambassador to Israel. Ben-Gvir urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to impose sanctions on Great Britain as long as the occupation continues. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also commented, referencing Britain's historical role in the region by stating, "The British Mandate in the Land of Israel is over.