Netanyahu orders Israel to back Argentina's claim over the Falklands following Ed Miliband's decision to impose sanctions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged his government to support Argentina's claim to the Falkland Islands after British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband imposed sanctions on West Bank settlements.
Netanyahu has told diplomats to change Israel's official position and back Argentine President Javier Milei in calling for direct talks about the future of the South Atlantic archipelago.
He has also called for Israel to recognise Argentina's historical connection to the territory, according to The Telegraph.
The small archipelago, located 300 miles off Argentina, has been a British overseas territory since 1833. In 1982, Argentina's then-military dictatorship invaded the islands, sparking the Falklands war, which killed hundreds of troops on both sides.
Diplomatic row over sanctions
Netanyahu's change in stance over the British territory comes after Miliband announced a sanctions package last month while accusing Israel of 'ethnic cleansing'.
The move sparked a diplomatic row, which led to the re-organisation of the British consulate in Jerusalem.
Miliband said the package would ban imports of all goods from the settlements and bar companies from providing services for the settlements, including financing, construction, infrastructure, real estate and advertising.
Argentina's new security measures
Last month, Milei's government introduced a sweeping security bill that would toughen sanctions on companies exploiting resources around the Falkland Islands without Argentine authorisation.
The bill would create a national security council chaired by Milei and expand the military's role in protecting critical Argentine infrastructure.
He also vowed to halt an oil project near the Falklands and, during a meeting at the UN General Assembly, called on Britain to resume negotiations to 'find a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute'.
Today I come to say that Argentina will not sit and wait for the UN and the international community to live up to their own mandate.
UK stands firm on self-determination
In a 2013 referendum, the islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory, with 99.8 per cent voting in favour and just three votes against.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham responded by saying the UK's position is 'clear' and that it will 'stand firm' in the face of any threats.
He added: 'We will defend the right of the Falkland Islanders to self-determination and to remain British.'
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