“Self-determination lies with the Falkland Islanders, and sovereignty lies with the UK”

Thursday, August 6th 2026 - 08:00 UTC

Ambassador Walters was appointed to the State of Israel, July 2023. Previously, Simon was Director National Security for Middle East and Africa at the FCDO from 2019 to 2022

By Simon Walters (*)

At the heart of Argentina’s illegitimate claim over the Falkland Islands is a historical falsehood. British sovereignty over the islands dates back to 1765, before the Argentine Republic even existed.

I read with interest Argentinian Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno’s Jerusalem Post op-ed claiming Argentinian sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The United Kingdom’s position, however, is clear: the Falkland Islands are British, and self-determination lies with the Islanders.