Israeli Security Minister Urges Recognition of Argentine Sovereignty Over Malvinas Islands

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly recognize the Malvinas Islands as occupied Argentine territory. In a post on the social network X, Ben Gvir accused the United Kingdom of violently stealing the islands from the Argentine people and exploiting their natural resources through oil drilling. He urged Netanyahu to recognize Argentina's sovereignty and impose sanctions on Great Britain as long as the occupation continues.

Reports on Ben Gvir's background differ in emphasis. A center-left source describes him as a settler and former convict, while a center-right source identifies him as a powerful minister and leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, representing the far-right wing of the government. The center-right source also notes that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the removal of the British ambassador, citing antisemitism and the British mandate in Israel.

These statements follow recent actions by the Argentine government. President Javier Milei recently held a national broadcast to reaffirm Argentina's claim to the islands and announced measures regarding foreign activities in the area. This includes a plan to expand the Ministry of Defense resources to build an Integrated Naval Base in Tierra del Fuego. Additionally, Argentina announced a criminal complaint against subsidiaries of the Israeli oil company Navitas Petroleum for operating in the Malvinas without authorization. Navitas currently operates the Sea Lion offshore project in partnership with the British company Rockhopper Exploration.

A center-left source suggests Ben Gvir's comments may be timed to coincide with expected British restrictions on agricultural products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.