Two Israeli ministers have demanded retaliatory measures against Britain as London reportedly prepares to impose new sanctions on Israel. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the immediate removal of the British ambassador, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Israel to impose sanctions on Britain and recognize Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
The calls followed reports that Britain could announce measures targeting Israel, including restrictions on products originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Smotrich accused the British government of antisemitism and claimed that London was using Israel to divert attention from its own domestic problems.
Ben-Gvir separately called for Israel to recognize the Falkland Islands as Argentine territory, accusing Britain of occupying the islands and exploiting their oil resources. He also demanded sanctions against Britain until what he described as the occupation ends.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had previously warned that Israel would respond if Britain imposed sanctions. Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said London was preparing a wider package of measures against Israeli settlements.
The dispute comes amid continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli rights groups have reported plans for thousands of additional settlement homes in the E1 area. Palestinian figures say hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers currently live in illegal settlements and outposts across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
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