Israeli Minister Demands Expulsion of British Ambassador Over Settlement Trade Ban

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the expulsion of the British ambassador to Israel on Monday evening, following reports that the UK is preparing to ban trade with settlements in Judea and Samaria. Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, wrote on X, "Expel the British ambassador tonight! The British mandate over the Land of Israel is over." He asserted that Israel should not be a "doormat for an antisemitic government," accusing the UK of being "conquered by radical Islam" and seeking to distract from its own decline by targeting Jews and Israel.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the potential British measures could include a ban on products manufactured in settlements and targeted sanctions against British companies and individuals involved in their development. The measures were expected to be presented to Parliament on Tuesday, following a debate on the security of the Jewish community in the UK.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also reacted, calling for Israel to recognize Argentina's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and impose sanctions on the UK. He described the archipelago as "Argentine territory under occupation" and accused London of exploiting oil resources there at the expense of the Argentine population.