Israeli politicians took to social media on Wednesday to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England, cheering one of Israel’s closest allies while taunting Britain.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich posted on X moments after the final whistle: “I indeed cannot enter Britain because I am exterminating the idea of the Palestinian state, but two goals got in nicely,” referring to the two late goals England conceded.
Smotrich also congratulated Argentine President Javier Milei, whom he described as “a friend”.
His far-right ally, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, also celebrated the result, writing on X: “Honour to whom honour is due, and now with faith toward the final.”
Hours before kick-off, Ben Gvir had written: “Do I really have to explain to you why I pray with all my heart for Argentina to win tonight and make it into the final?”
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Both Smotrich and Ben Gvir were sanctioned by the UK last year. The then Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the two ministers had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”.
Smotrich has driven Israel’s de facto annexation of large parts of the occupied West Bank, while Ben Gvir has overseen Israel’s prison and detention system, which some human rights groups have described as operating “torture camps”.
Both have also been key figures in Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The celebrations, however, were not limited to ministers sanctioned by the UK. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who met Lammy in London last year, wrote on X: “How does the song go? ‘It’s coming home.’ Yes, it is. It’s coming home to Argentina. Vamos Argentina.”
Sa’ar, who has Argentinian roots, is in the United States for meetings with Israeli allies from Latin America.
According to a statement from Israel’s foreign ministry, Sa’ar met counterparts from Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay to discuss “the profound changes taking place across Latin America, as well as the challenges and threats posed by its enemies”.
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“And yes, we also raised a glass to Argentina’s impressive victory in the World Cup semi-final,” the statement added.
The Israeli government views Milei and several other right-wing Latin American leaders as natural allies, with many strongly supportive of Israel.
Hours before Argentina defeated England, Sa’ar met Colombia’s incoming foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, and agreed to restore diplomatic relations after years of strained ties over Israel’s war in Gaza.
Shortly before kick-off, Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, also backed Argentina, posting simply: “Vamos Argentina.”
Transport Minister Miri Regev, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, wrote on X: “Congratulations to the Argentine people and to my friend President Javier Milei.”
“Keeping my fingers crossed for you in the final,” she added, ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain, one of Israel’s most outspoken critics in Europe.
Argentina’s run to a second successive World Cup final – after lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022 – has also fuelled accusations that Fifa has favoured the South American side.
Refereeing decisions in Argentina’s matches have come under particular scrutiny, especially in the Arab world. Argentina’s last-16 victory over Egypt prompted Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan to accuse Fifa of wanting Argentina to progress for “marketing” reasons, triggering a wave of criticism of both Fifa and Argentina.
