The Israeli PM’s comment comes as the brand new Labor authorities weighs taking measures in opposition to the Jewish state following months of strained relations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the UK because the “Islamic Republic of Britain,” because the nation’s new Labor authorities weighs taking measures in opposition to Israel.
Talking on an Israeli Military Radio podcast on Friday, Netanyahu criticized the British media’s protection of Israel, whereas evaluating it to reporting in the course of the 1967 Six-Day Conflict.
“Go discover that in Britain right this moment, which you can name the Islamic Republic of Britain,” he mentioned, as cited by Israeli media.
Netanyahu then echoed a 2024 joke made by US Vice-President JD Vance, saying Britain might change into the primary “Islamic republic with nuclear weapons.”
In keeping with the newest census-based figures, Muslims account for round 6% of the UK’s inhabitants, whereas Pakistan, formally the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has possessed nuclear weapons because the Nineties.
The British International Workplace referred to as the feedback “fully unacceptable,” noting that the problem had been raised with the Israeli authorities.
Relations between London and Israel have deteriorated because the UK formally acknowledged the State of Palestine in September of 2025, a transfer rejected by Netanyahu’s authorities.
The alternate comes weeks after Andy Burnham turned prime minister. Earlier than taking workplace, Burnham mentioned Labour “didn’t get it proper” on Gaza, asserting that Britain wanted to place better strain on the Israeli authorities, together with via the usage of sanctions and measures focusing on commerce with Israeli settlements.
Nonetheless, Britain has maintained military-export ties with Israel. Whereas London did droop some arms licenses in 2024 on account of considerations that the gear may very well be used to commit critical violations of worldwide humanitarian regulation, it exempted elements equipped via the multinational F-35 program.
Britain additionally supplied army assist throughout this yr’s battle with Iran. London deployed plane to intercept Iranian assaults and approved US forces to make use of British bases for operations in opposition to Iranian missile launchers and associated websites. British safety cooperation with Israel has included surveillance flights over Gaza and intelligence sharing.
The remarks comply with reviews that there’s rising frustration with Netanyahu within the US. Axios reported on Friday that President Donald Trump has declined to endorse Netanyahu forward of Israel’s October election thus far, regardless of being repeatedly requested about it. Earlier this month, the Israeli PM rejected a 15-point Gaza plan backed by Trump, whereas insisting that Israeli forces wouldn’t withdraw till Hamas was totally disarmed.
You’ll be able to share this story on social media:
