Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the United Kingdom “the Islamic republic of Britain” and described it as the “first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon” during a podcast interview Thursday, drawing swift condemnation from the UK government and Jewish leaders in Britain.
Netanyahu made the remarks on the Israeli podcast Melech Blitzer Haim while discussing British media coverage of Israel. He praised journalist Randolph Churchill, son of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, for positive coverage of Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, then said sarcastically: “Go find that in today’s Britain, in what is called the Islamic republic of Britain.”
Later in the podcast, Netanyahu doubled down on the jibe, saying: “Someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic republic of Britain.” He then added that Israel is “making sure there won’t be another one here, in Iran,” according to translated comments published by Israeli media.
Netanyahu’s comments echoed earlier remarks by US Vice President JD Vance in 2024, when Vance suggested the UK could become the first “truly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon.” The Israeli government spokesman David Mencer later said Netanyahu was merely quoting Vance’s earlier statement.
The UK government responded sharply. “These comments are completely unacceptable and we have raised them with the Israeli government,” a UK government spokesman said. British Foreign Secretary officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
British Jewish leaders distanced themselves from Netanyahu’s rhetoric. Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Lev, co-leads of the Movement for Progressive Judaism, said: “Prime Minister Netanyahu does not speak for British Jews. His words do not represent us.” They called the language “dangerous and irresponsible” at a time when anti-Muslim hatred and social division are causing real fear across Britain.
Gavin Barwell, former chief of staff to Prime Minister Theresa May, characterized the remarks as “blatant Islamophobia.” Rodwan Abouharb, associate professor in international relations at University College London, told Al Jazeera that Netanyahu’s jibe marks a “new low” in UK-Israel relations, but suggested the comments may have been aimed at Netanyahu’s domestic political base to shore up his fractured governing coalition.
The remark comes amid significant strain between the Israeli and British governments. Since Andy Burnham took office as UK Prime Minister in 2024, the Labour government has paused free trade talks with Israel, suspended some arms export licenses, and implemented multiple rounds of sanctions on far-right Israeli cabinet members Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The UK also recognized Palestinian statehood in 2025, alongside France and Canada.
In July 2026, Burnham apologized for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, saying the party “didn’t get it right” and pledging to “do more to put pressure on the Israeli government,” including further sanctions and a potential ban on trade with illegal settlements.
Within Israel, Netanyahu faced criticism from opposition figures. Avi Dabush, running for the Knesset with Israel’s opposition Democrats party, attacked Netanyahu for mocking a critical ally at a time when Israel faces unprecedented global isolation. “That’s what happens when there’s a horrific diplomatic failure, and an inability to rally countries in the world in favour of our interests,” Dabush said in a social media post.
Netanyahu leads what observers have called the most far-right government in Israel’s history, having alienated traditional allies while aligning with far-right figures. The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to requests for comment on whether Netanyahu’s statement represented the official position of the Israeli government.
Sources
- The Guardian — Full text and context of Netanyahu’s podcast remarks, UK-Israel relations background, and opposition criticism from Avi Dabush
- Al Jazeera — Netanyahu’s podcast comments, JD Vance precedent, UK government response, and expert analysis from Rodwan Abouharb
- Times of Israel — UK government condemnation statement and Israeli government spokesman’s response
