Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has publicly called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognise the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory and to impose sanctions on Britain while the occupation continues.
In a statement issued late on Monday evening (September 7), Ben-Gvir said the islands are "Argentine territory under occupation" and accused the British of "violently stealing" them from Argentina. He also claimed Britain is carrying out oil drilling in the territory and taking money from the Argentine people.
His comments came just hours after it became public knowledge that the UK government is due to announce new sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband is expected to outline new trade restrictions on goods coming out of the illegal settlements in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory, on Tuesday (September 8).
Social media call for sanctions
Ben-Gvir said on social media: "It's time for the State of Israel to publicly recognize that the Malvinas Islands are Argentine territory under occupation, which the British violently steal from the Argentine people."
He added: "The British are not content with merely occupying the territory; they also carry out oil drilling there and steal the money from the Argentine people. I call upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize Argentina's sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands and to impose sanctions on Great Britain as long as the occupation continues."
The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory, but Argentina has long disputed the UK's claim to the archipelago. Political tensions surrounding the territory erupted into warfare in 1982. The conflict lasted 74 days and concluded with an Argentine surrender.
US position under review
Ben-Gvir's comments follow Donald Trump's statement revealing the US, Israel's major ally, will "re-evaluate" its position on the Falkland Islands. Historically, America was "neutral" in the dispute, but recognised the UK's claim to the islands and provided military support during the 1982 war.
His position may change in the wake of President Javier Milei's address to Argentina on the Falklands last week. Milei, a close friend of Trump's, did not make any new claims over the islands, but did say the "winds of change" are coming.
Trump's position on the islands appears to be a response to Keir Starmer's refusal to back US military action in Iran, which it conducted alongside Israel. He explained: "Your country [the UK] was not there to help me. We didn't need help, but I did ask Nato, and I asked your former leader."
Terrorism concerns raised
There are fears from intelligence experts that imposing new sanctions on Israel could harm international anti-terror co-operation and increase hostilities towards Britain's Jewish community.
Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, told BBC Newsnight: "From a terrorism perspective, I mean, obviously one's got to think about international cooperation."
He added: "That is a really big deal, particularly with Iran, thinking about intelligence. On the other hand, I suppose it's also true to say that some settler violence does amount to terrorism."
Mr Hall also expressed concern about the potential impact on Britain's Jewish communities, adding: "I think there is a risk that if you stir the pot by making Israel a pariah state, then that will bring that flame up again, which we saw. Remember, it was only a year ago that there was the attack at Heaton Park. And I've been very worried about de-legitimising anyone who's Israeli, certainly, and Jews, many of whom support Israel, and painting a bit of a target on the back.
"Now, I'm sure the government will be very careful, I hope they will be, in the way in which they describe this, but that is a concern."
