Ben-Gvir urges voluntary Palestinian migration and tells Britain to return Falklands

Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the voluntary migration of Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank, and told Britain that it should hand back the Falkland Islands if it wants to criticise Israeli occupation.

He made the remarks at a press conference ahead of Israel's election next month. A foreign correspondent who was one of the few foreign journalists in the room described him as a far-right figure who provokes extreme reactions. Ben-Gvir has been sanctioned by Britain for inciting hatred and violence, and he does not appear to be bothered by such criticism.

The minister said he wanted to make a plan for what he called voluntary migration. He said: "I want to make a plan for the voluntary migration of people from Gaza and Judea and Samaria. With the defence ministry, it will be our top priority for our children and for our citizens. To live in this country, we must encourage voluntary migration."

Asked about Israel's relationship with Britain, Ben-Gvir pointed to the Falklands. He said: "When Britain talks about occupation, I would suggest they return the lands they occupied from Argentina. Return the lands from Argentina. And afterwards, come lecture me about occupation. That's all I can say about Britain." He described the Falklands as occupied territory and argued that Britain should give them up if it did not want to be accused of hypocrisy.

Ben-Gvir is campaigning as the man who always puts Israel and its Jewish population first. He promised to join a new right-wing coalition government as defence minister. He was critical of other politicians he called weak, said security was at the heart of Israel, and claimed he had cut terrorism.

The Falklands question was also raised at the UN General Assembly by Argentinian President Javier Milei. Andy Burnham said the UK would stand firm in the face of any threats and defend the rights of Falkland Islanders to self-determination and to remain British. He said he wanted the Argentinian president to know directly from him that this was the clear British position, and that the president understood.

Ben-Gvir rarely answers questions from foreign journalists and is proudly indifferent to worldwide criticism. He has taunted flotilla protesters before they were deported, and his movements are often not announced in advance. The press conference gave a rare close-up of a controversial and consequential politician.