By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-25 00:35:52 | Updated at 2026-09-25 01:09:21
1 hour ago
Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a scathing attack on Britain's colonial past amid simmering tensions between members of the Israeli Government and the UK over the Falkland Islands.
Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, Mr Netanyahu slammed the "hypocrisy" of his country's allies over their condemnations of Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
He told delegates: “They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism - some colonialism. And who’s accusing us?
"Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God’s sakes, they invented the term."
The Israeli Prime Minister's speech began in controversial fashion, with scores of UN delegates storming out of the room as he made his way up to the podium to deliver a speech.
After receiving a chorus of boos, Mr Netanyahu hit out at the "moral cowards" who had exited the chamber.
He went onto to brand claims of Israel committing genocide in Gaza as "the biggest lie of the century".
Mr Netanyahu insisted Israel was defending itself - as well as "many of the countries whose delegates just left this hall" through their military actions.
He added: “In fact, I want you to know that many of their leaders even thank us privately for taking out Iran’s nukes.”
Mr Netanyahu branded claims of Israel committing genocide in Gaza as 'the biggest lie of the century'
REUTERS
Members of Mr Netanyahu's Government and other senior Israel allies have ramped up their rhetoric against Britain since Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced sanctions on Jerusalem over West Bank settlements.
Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, accused Andy Burnham's Government of "Jew hate" after Mr Miliband declared that ethnic cleansing of Palestinians is taking place in parts of the West Bank, carried out by "settler terrorists".
In retaliation, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly called for Britain to hand over the Falkland Islands over to Argentina, accusing London of "occupying" the South Atlantic territory.
He doubled down on those remarks yesterday, telling Sky News: "When Britain talks about occupation, I would suggest they return the lands they occupied from Argentina, and afterwards come lecture me about occupation ."
Mr Netanyahu's son, Yair, has also weighed in, repeatedly declaring that the islands "belong to Argentina".
Mr Netanyahu's Government has ramped up their rhetoric against Britain since Ed Miliband announced sanctions on Jerusalem
Argentine President Javier Milei has forged close ties with the Israeli Government since taking office in 2023.
He met with the Israeli Prime Minister in New York on Thursday, with Mr Netanyahu describing him as "one of the great leaders of our time".
During his own address at the UN, the Argentine President threatened to "take matters into our own hands" in a fresh warning to the UK over the Falklands.
The South American leader delivered a blistering speech in which he demanded that the international community back his claim over the British territory.
“For us, the Malvinas are a national cause. I repeat, the Malvinas for us are a national cause,” Mr Milei declared, using the Argentine name for the Falklands.
Argentine President Javier Milei has forged close ties with the Israeli Government since taking office in 2023
GETTY
Britons have inhabited the islands for centuries, preceding Argentina's existence as a nation-state, and have consistently and overwhelmingly backed maintaining links to the UK.
Nevertheless, Mr Milei described Falklanders as being “implanted by the occupying power on a territory whose sovereignty is in dispute".
Following his remarks, Britain reinforced its sovereignty over the islands and condemned the Argentines' "inappropriate" behaviour.
A statement issued by the UK's UN ambassador's office said: "Argentina regularly refers to United Nations resolutions, and regional diplomatic statements, calling for sovereignty negotiations over the Falkland Islands.
"However, these do not modify or dilute the obligation of nations to respect the legally binding right of self-determination."
It added: "Argentina continues to deny that this fundamental human right applies to the people of the Falkland Islands, and actively seeks opportunities in international fora to assert its sovereignty claim.
"This behaviour is wholly incompatible with the principles established in the United Nations Charter and is not the behaviour we expect of a democracy."
