Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Smotrich calls for expulsion of UK ambassador after 'Post' report of planned settlement trade ban


National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also responded to the reports of the settlement trade ban by calling for Israel to recognize the Falkland Islands as "Argentine territory under occupation."

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the United Kingdom's ambassador to Israel to be ejected from the country on Monday night, following reports that the UK was planning to announce a ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank on Tuesday. "Expel the British ambassador tonight!" Smotrich posted on X/Twitter. "The British Mandate in the Land of Israel is over." Smotrich added that Israel would not be "a doormat trampled by an antisemitic government," and called the UK "a country conquered by radical Islam, trying to save itself from economic and social decline by attacking Jews and the State of Israel."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also responded to the reports of the UK's settlement trade ban by calling for Israel to recognize the Falkland Islands as "Argentine territory under occupation." He also called upon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize Argentina's sovereignty over the islands, and to impose sanctions on Britain "as long as the occupation continues."

Earlier on Monday, sources told The Jerusalem Post about the UK's plan to announce the ban on trade with settlements. Tuesday's announcement in Parliament is likely to take place in the afternoon, after a 9:30 a.m. debate on Jewish safety in Westminster Hall. The new measures will likely include a ban on goods produced in the settlements and targeted sanctions on British institutions and individuals. (Source)