Israeli ministers call for sanctions on Britain over Falkland Islands

The remarks are understood to be a response to the British government's plan to sanction Israeli settlements Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham inside 10 Downing Street in central London on September 3, 2026. (AFP) Published date: 7 September 2026 23:36 BST | Last update: 8 sec ago Israeli Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have called for Israel to sanction Britain over the Falkland Islands, as the UK government prepares to announce a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory. Smotrich, Israel's finance minister, called for the expulsion of the British ambassador to Israel and said: "We will not be a trampled doormat of an antisemitic government, in a country conquered by radical Islam, trying to save itself from economic and social decline by attacking Jews and the State of Israel. The British Mandate in the Land of Israel is over." Ben Gvir, the security minister, posted on X in Spanish calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sanction Britain for its "occupation" of the Falkland Islands. Ben Gvir wrote: "It's time for the state of Israel to publicly recognize that the Malvinas Islands [the Argentine name for the Falkland Islands] are Argentine territory under occupation, which the British violently steal from the Argentine people. "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." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Ben Gvir added: "I call upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognise Argentina's sovereignty over the Malvinas Islands and to impose sanctions on Great Britain as long as the occupation continues." MEE has asked the British Foreign Office for comment. Argentina and the UK both assert sovereignty over the South Atlantic archipelago, but the vast majority of the territory's 3,600 residents back British rule. Last week Argentinian President Javier Milei declared that Argentina's national sovereignty had been "violated" and that his country would defend its interests "tooth and nail, no matter who it bothers". Milei threatened sanctions on oil firms that seek to drill around the Falkland Islands, adding that the "winds of change" favoured Argentina's claim to them. How Israel armed Argentina to kill British soldiers during Falklands War Read More » US President Donald Trump suggested last week he would not back Britain if Argentina was to invade the Falkland Islands. The comments by Ben Gvir and Smotrich are understood to come in response to Britain's plans to unveil a raft of policies targeting Israeli settlements on Tuesday, including a trade ban. Last week the Israeli government threatened Britain with retaliation, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warning: "If Britain acts against Israel, Israel will act against Britain." British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not spoken to his Israeli counterpart since he became prime minister in July. He reportedly briefed Trump on his plans to introduce sanctions on Istael on Monday afternoon. The Trump administration is understood to strongly oppose the British government's approach. Tensions between Britain and Israel are likely to escalate. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.