Israel Denies Report That Netanyahu Ordered Shift Toward Argentina on Falklands Dispute
Israel has categorically rejected a report claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed diplomats to alter the country’s position on the Falkland Islands (known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas) in favor of Buenos Aires.
The British newspaper The Telegraph reported on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that Netanyahu had ordered Israeli diplomats to support Argentina’s calls for direct bilateral talks with the United Kingdom over the islands’ future and to recognize Argentina’s historical connection to the territory.
The reported change, according to the paper’s anonymous sources, stopped short of formally endorsing Argentine sovereignty but was described as a significant shift. Sources linked it to deteriorating Israel-UK relations and Netanyahu’s close ties with Argentine President Javier Milei.
Israeli Denial
Alex Gandler, spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Britain, responded on X: “I categorically deny this allegation. No such directive exists.” Israeli outlets, including i24NEWS and The Times of Israel, led with the denial while reporting the Telegraph claims. Some Israeli reporting also noted that the Foreign Ministry rejected the account.
The Telegraph pointed to recent remarks by Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon, who called for direct negotiations between Britain and Argentina. Danon acknowledged the importance Argentines attach to the issue and said any progress should account for historical, legal, and human considerations. Government sources told the paper that the wording of such statements had been approved at the highest levels of the Israeli government and represented the first time Israel had become involved in the dispute in this manner.
British Political Reaction
British MP Rupert Lowe (Great Yarmouth), leader of Restore Britain, responded directly to the Telegraph report on X. He wrote:
“It's been reported by the Telegraph that Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israel to support Argentina on the Falklands over Britain.Why should Britain be expected to defend Israel's national interests if Israel's leadership refuses to respect ours?Britain is not obliged to give any foreign government unconditional political or military support.Our foreign policy should be guided by British interests, and British interests only - that is the Restore Britain position.The Falkland Islands are British, and will remain British.”
The post quickly gained significant engagement, reflecting ongoing debates in the UK about the balance of interests in relations with Israel amid tensions over West Bank policy and the Falklands dispute.
Context of Strained UK-Israel Ties
The reported policy discussion comes amid worsening relations between Israel and the UK. In September 2026, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced measures targeting West Bank settlements, including plans to ban settlement goods imports, expand sanctions powers against individuals and companies involved in settlement activity, and other steps framed as protecting a two-state solution. Israel responded with countermeasures, including actions against the British consulate in Jerusalem and restrictions on certain UK officials.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had publicly urged Netanyahu last month to recognize Argentine sovereignty over the Falklands and impose sanctions on Britain in response to the UK measures.
Milei’s Strong Alignment with Israel
Argentina under Milei has been one of Israel’s strongest international supporters. Milei has visited Israel multiple times, described himself in strong pro-Israel terms, and was invited to light a ceremonial torch at Israel’s Independence Day celebrations. The two leaders have met bilaterally, including in New York in September 2026, where Argentine officials confirmed they discussed the Malvinas issue. They have also announced steps such as direct flights and deeper cooperation under what has been called the “Isaac Accords.”
A complicating factor is an Israeli company, Navitas Petroleum, involved with a British partner in the Sea Lion oil project near the islands. Argentina has pursued legal and sanctions actions against companies engaged in exploration there, which it views as illegal. Israel has stated that the government has no control over the private company’s activities.
The Long-Running Falklands Dispute
The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory. Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands it calls the Malvinas. The two countries fought a brief war in 1982 after Argentine forces invaded; Britain retook the islands. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of voters on the islands chose to remain a British territory. Britain maintains that sovereignty cannot be negotiated without the islanders’ consent. Milei has ruled out military solutions and said Argentina will pursue its claim diplomatically, while continuing to press the issue internationally and through legal and economic measures related to oil exploration.
Broader Implications
The Telegraph report suggested that even a limited shift toward supporting talks could raise concerns in London that Israel might go further if the UK intensifies settlement-related sanctions. Israeli officials have framed any such discussion in the context of strong bilateral ties with Argentina rather than pure retaliation. With Israeli elections approaching, the episode highlights how the Falklands issue has become entangled in wider geopolitics, including U.S. reviews of its traditional neutrality and the personal rapport between Netanyahu and Milei.
As of the latest reports, the Israeli position remains that no directive to change policy was issued. The story continues to develop amid competing claims from British and Israeli sources, and growing political commentary in the UK.
