Ben-Gvir calls on Netanyahu to sanction UK over Falkland Islands

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize the British-administered Falkland Islands as Argentine territory.

Ben-Gvir's outburst came following reports that the London administration is preparing to impose sanctions on goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Far-right Israeli ministers have reacted one after another to these allegations.

In a post on his X account, Ben-Gvir argued that it is time for Israel to "publicly declare that the Falkland Islands are occupied Argentine territory and were stolen by the British from the Argentine people by force."

Ben-Gvir also alleged that the UK is conducting oil exploration on the islands and stealing money from the Argentine people. The far-right minister called on Netanyahu to recognize Argentine sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and to impose sanctions on the UK "as long as the occupation continues."

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had also previously demanded the immediate expulsion of the British Ambassador to Israel, Simon Walters, following reports that the UK would impose sanctions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements.

HISTORY OF THE FALKLANDS DISPUTE

The sovereignty status of the Falkland Islands has been a subject of dispute between the UK and Argentina for many years. The islands, covering approximately 12,000 square kilometers, over which the UK declared sovereignty in 1833, are located in the Atlantic Ocean south of Argentina.

The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory, are dependent on London for defense and foreign affairs. Argentina, meanwhile, argues that the islands, which it calls "Malvinas," were inherited by the country following its independence process from Spain.

The conflict between the parties, which began on April 2, 1982, and is known as the "Falklands War," lasted about 6 weeks; the war ended with a British victory.

In a 2013 referendum held on the islands, 99.8 percent of the population answered "Yes" to the question, "Do you want to remain a British Overseas Territory?" Approximately 2,500 people live on the Falkland Islands.