Yair Netanyahu, Israeli PM’s son, angers UK right over Falklands comment

What the report says

Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has sparked criticism in Britain after posting support for Argentina’s claim to the British-controlled Falkland Islands. According to Al Jazeera, he wrote on X in Spanish that the islands belong to Argentina and argued that Israel should back Buenos Aires because Argentina’s far-right government is more friendly toward Israel. He also accused the UK government of hypocrisy and hostility over its recognition of Palestine.

The comments, published last week, prompted a backlash from an unusual mix of British right-wing figures, including members and allies of pro-Israel circles. Rupert Lowe, leader of the far-right Restore Britain party, insisted the Falklands would remain British and suggested his party would use force if needed. Former Conservative MP Sir Conor Burns called the remarks foolish and said they could hurt Israel’s standing among British conservatives. Al Jazeera also reported that far-right activist Tommy Robinson shared a post defending British sovereignty over the islands.

The Falklands, a South Atlantic territory that Britain and Argentina fought over in 1982, remain a sensitive issue in UK-Argentina relations. Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera said the episode reflects broader strains involving Israel, the UK and Europe, especially amid disagreements over Gaza, the West Bank and recognition of Palestinian statehood. No Israeli government official publicly endorsed Yair Netanyahu’s position, though Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has previously used the Falklands as a comparison when defending Israeli settlement policy.