Netanyahu’s son sparks backlash in Britain over Falkland Islands remarks

The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom has reported anger in Britain over remarks by Yair Netanyahu, son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, about the Falkland Islands, in which he said the islands belong to Argentina.

The newspaper said Yair Netanyahu had once again sparked heated debate online, this time over a comment about an area around 13,000 kilometres from Israel’s coast. It said he posted on X in support of Argentine President Javier Milei, claiming that the Falkland Islands, a sparsely populated group of islands off the southern coast of South America, belong to Argentina.

According to Israel Hayom, the post sparked a lengthy and heated debate involving several figures, particularly on the British right, which is known for its strong support for Israel.

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The newspaper reported that British commentator and broadcaster Alex Armstrong responded: “Short memories from some Israeli commentators and deeply unhelpful remarks. Argentina has historically been an enemy of their state and has even compared the Falkland Islands to Gaza. The actions of the Labour govt do not represent the opinions of every Brit.”

Israel Hayom then quoted Armstrong as saying: “Governments change, and in Britain they change regularly.”

Armstrong added: “The UK has come to the aid of Israel, militarily even, for generations and has had strong support from the right of British politics. The same is not true for Argentina. Comments like this one will only serve to change the long-standing positions of those people.”

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