Argentine President Javier Milei Amplifies Israeli Minister's Call on Falklands

Argentine President Javier Milei shared a post on his X account from Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, urging Israel to recognize Argentina's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The UK administers the islands, which Buenos Aires claims as its own.

Ben-Gvir's message, written in Spanish, stated, "The time has come for the State of Israel to publicly recognize that the Malvinas Islands are occupied Argentine territory." He further accused London of exploiting the archipelago's oil resources at Argentina's expense and called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to impose sanctions on the UK "as long as the occupation continues."

These statements coincide with reports that the British government is considering expanding economic measures against Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria. British media suggest potential actions include banning trade in products made in settlements and sanctioning companies involved in their construction.

In response to the potential British sanctions, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded the expulsion of the British ambassador to Israel, accusing the UK government of targeting Jews and the State of Israel. The sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, has been a point of contention between London and Buenos Aires for decades.