Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich called for the expulsion of the British ambassador and for Israel to recognize Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands early Tuesday, according to a report from Ynet. The demand escalates their earlier criticism of UK plans to sanction Israeli settlements.
Just after midnight on Tuesday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich jointly called for the expulsion of the British ambassador from Israel and for Jerusalem to formally recognize Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, according to a Ynet report. The demand escalates a sequence of reactions to reported British plans to impose sanctions on Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria.
At 23:31 on Monday, The Zioneer reported separate calls: Smotrich framed expulsion as a preemptive step ahead of expected sanctions, while Ben Gvir urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to impose sanctions on the UK. The joint statement now adds a territorial element, linking Israel's dispute with Britain to Argentina's long-standing claim to the Falklands, which Britain seized in 1833.
As The Zioneer previously reported, Ben Gvir has publicly expressed support for Argentina, posting 'Let's go Argentina' with flags in July, and Argentina's vice president has used Falklands-related rhetoric. These background items situate the sovereignty demand as part of an ongoing pattern of affinity rather than a sudden shift.
There has been no official response from the UK Foreign Office or the Israeli government as of this report. Ynet did not provide details on any planned legislative or diplomatic steps, and the ministers' declaration appears to be a coordinated political maneuver rather than formal policy.
5 developments
- DevelopingSmotrich says UK bars him for 'eliminating Palestinian state' idea, adds exiles entered
- DevelopingSmotrich warns of EU-backed plot to reverse Judea and Samaria settlement drive
- DevelopingMK Dan Illouz blasts Western sanctions on Smotrich as 'reward for terror'
- StrongSmotrich calls on Netanyahu to fully conquer Gaza, establish Jewish settlement
Source and signal
- Open-source intake