Key facts
- Israel secretly sold weapons, including Skyhawk jets and missiles, to Argentina during the 1980s Falklands War.
- These weapons contributed to the deaths of 48 British soldiers and sailors and the sinking of four warships.
- The arms sales were an estimated $1 billion and facilitated through secret cargo flights.
- The Israeli government repeatedly denied arming Argentina at the time.
- Current UK-Israel relations are strained over potential UK sanctions on Israeli settlements.
- Yair Netanyahu and Donald Trump have recently questioned British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.
Tensions between the UK and Israel are escalating, with the British government preparing to announce measures against illegal Israeli settlements. In response, Israel has issued threats, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made critical remarks about the UK. His son, Yair Netanyahu, suggested the Falkland Islands belong to Argentina, a sentiment echoed by recent comments from US President Donald Trump, who indicated a potential shift in US support for British sovereignty over the islands.
Behind these current diplomatic frictions lies a historical account of covert conflict. Declassified UK government files and historical accounts reveal that Israel secretly armed Argentina during the 1980s Falklands War. This support included the sale of Skyhawk jets, air-to-air missiles, anti-tank mines, mortars, and fuel tanks, estimated to be worth $1 billion. These weapons were used by Argentina to bomb British forces, resulting in the deaths of 48 British soldiers and sailors and the sinking of four warships. Israel initially denied these arms sales, but the British Foreign Office leaked details of its findings to the press.
The motivations for Israel's actions were twofold: to develop the arms market in Latin America and to pressure Britain to end its arms embargo on Israel. The embargo was partly a response to Israeli actions in Lebanon and a general UK concern over Israeli settlements. Despite these efforts, the UK maintained its stance, including signing the Venice Declaration and establishing the Conservative Middle East Council.
Decades later, the UK is again considering sanctions against Israel related to settlements, with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announcing plans for a comprehensive package. Israel has vowed not to be a passive victim, and reports suggest it is considering retaliatory measures. The US is reportedly pressuring the UK against imposing sanctions, and a leaked Pentagon memo indicated potential leverage over the Falklands. The current situation could significantly shape UK-Israel and UK-US relations.