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Israel Denies Netanyahu Ordered Diplomats To Back Argentina Talks Over Falkland Islands
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Netanyahu allegedly directed Israeli diplomats to back Argentina's call for direct Falklands talks with Britain Telegraph reported Israel should shift policy to acknowledge Argentina's historical ties to the Falklands
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i24NEWS“‘I categorically deny this allegation. No such directive exists,’ Alex Gandler, spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Britain, wrote on X”
“Netanyahu instructed Israeli diplomats to change the country's official position, join Buenos Aires in calling for direct negotiations over the islands' future”
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Israel Denies Telegraph Claim
Israel denied a report that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered diplomats to back Argentina’s calls for talks over the Falkland Islands in retaliation for British sanctions on West Bank settlements.
Alex Gandler, spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Britain, wrote on X, “I categorically deny this allegation. No such directive exists,” in response to The Telegraph’s report.
The Telegraph reported that Netanyahu instructed diplomats to support direct negotiations between Britain and Argentina over the islands’ future, while the reported move stopped short of formally endorsing Argentine sovereignty over the British-controlled South Atlantic territory.
The report linked the intervention to Israel’s close relationship with Argentine President Javier Milei and deteriorating ties with London, after Britain’s sanctions on West Bank settlements last month prompted Israeli measures against the British consulate in Jerusalem, including the expulsion of most of its staff.
Danon’s UN Message Cited
The Telegraph pointed to remarks by Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, who called for direct negotiations at a UN session last week. Danny Danon acknowledged the importance Argentines attach to the issue and said progress should account for the relevant historical, legal and human considerations, according to The Telegraph.
The Times of Israel Community said the report cited anonymous sources and described Netanyahu as ordering Israel to support Argentina’s claim over the disputed South Atlantic islands and to call for direct talks, which Argentina’s official position holds under President Javier Milei. The report also said the wording of Danon’s statement explicitly supported Argentina’s claim and marked a significant shift in Israel’s stance, with one source telling the UK paper, “This is the first time Israel has got involved in this conflict.”
Sanctions, Sovereignty, and Fallout
The reported shift came as Jerusalem’s relations with London were described as on the rocks after the UK moved to issue widespread sanctions on Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank and a year after London recognized a Palestinian state. The report said the change also came amid anger in Buenos Aires over the Israeli-owned Navitas Petroleum company’s plans to carry out offshore drilling in the Falkland Islands, expected to begin in 2028.
“Britain maintains that sovereignty cannot be discussed without the islanders’ consent.”
Britain maintained that sovereignty cannot be discussed without the islanders’ consent, and the sources cited a 2013 referendum in which 99.8% of those voting chose to remain a British overseas territory. The sources also recalled that Britain and Argentina fought a war over the islands in 1982 after Argentine forces invaded, and they described the conflict as ending in Argentina’s defeat and the restoration of British control.