Netanyahu's son sparks UK row over Falklands claim

Yair Netanyahu posted on X in Spanish on Monday that the Falkland Islands — which Buenos Aires calls the Islas Malvinas — rightfully belong to Argentina, dismissing the archipelago as "a bunch of rocks" located thousands of miles from Britain. He framed the intervention as part of a broader critique of the UK Labour government, which he characterized as displaying hypocrisy and hostility toward the Jewish state.

He accused British authorities of antisemitism while asserting that his support for Argentine sovereignty reflected consistent opposition to what he termed Labour's hostile stance toward Jerusalem.

British backlash

The remarks triggered immediate pushback from prominent British figures, including Rupert Lowe, leader of the far-right Restore Britain party. "Following the intervention of Netanyahu's son, where he states that the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina, it is entirely legitimate to ask what the official Israeli Government position is on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands," Lowe wrote on X. He told the Israeli premier's son that "you have enough problems to be focusing on in Israel, Netanyahu," adding that "the Falkland Islands are British, and will remain that way. A Restore Britain Government will go to war if necessary to ensure it."

Former Conservative MP Conor Burns issued an expletive-laden response on the same platform, writing: "Dear Nepoyahu, Piss off. Yours sincerely, Israel's many friends in the UK (Stronger sentiment available from British subjects in the Falkland Islands)." Nile Gardiner, a former aide to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, sought to downplay the incident, stating that Yair did not represent official Israeli policy. "The courageous Falkland Islanders have exactly the same right to sovereignty, self-determination and freedom as the immensely brave people of Israel. The Falklands will always be British," Gardiner said.

Historical dispute

Argentine President Javier Milei reposted several of Yair's statements on X, prompting the Israeli premier's son to say his intervention had improved diplomatic ties. "My comments appear to have contributed to Israel-Argentina relations ... contrary to the left's propaganda," he said.

Argentina maintains its claim to the islands based on succession from the Spanish Crown and historical decrees, while Britain has exercised continuous administration since 1833. The competing claims sparked a 10-week war in 1982 when Argentine forces invaded the territory, prompting a British military response that resulted in the deaths of 649 Argentine and 255 British personnel before Buenos Aires surrendered.