Israel armed Argentina during the Falklands. That is a fact. Between the 2 April and 14 June 1982, Israel sold Argentina air-to-air missiles, anti-personnel mines, anti-tank weapons, replacement parts for jets, radar and communications equipment and fuel. Nesher fighter jets, supplied by Israel, were part of the air attack that destroyed the RFA Sir Galahad in Bluff Cove. Fifty-six British sailors and soldiers died in that raid.

So when Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar taunted England for our 2-1 World Cup defeat, that was a continuation of traditional Israeli foreign policy. ‘How does the song go?’ Sa’ar posted. ‘It’s coming home. Yes it is. It’s coming home to Argentina. Vamos Argentina!’ On the pitch, Argentine footballers unfurled a flag that read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’.

Israeli support for Argentina is not simply a story of jovial football rivalry

Israeli support for Argentina is not simply a story of jovial football rivalry

Defenders of Israel claim we somehow deserve their ire. Stephen Daisley argues on Coffee House that Britain has antagonised Israel in recent years by not being sufficiently supportive following 7 October. ‘After constant provocation, it was inevitable that Israel would lose its patience with Britain,’ he writes. We have apparently ‘got off pretty lightly’ in their support for Argentina in the World Cup.

I don’t care all that much about football, so Israel’s support for Messi & Co doesn’t........

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