Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked widespread controversy and outrage after referring to the United Kingdom as the “Islamic Republic of Britain” during a podcast interview, according to Al Jazeera. Speaking on the Israeli podcast Melech Blitzer Haim
and during an interview for Israel’s army radio, Netanyahu objected to British media coverage of Israel and described the UK as the first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon
.
Netanyahu Sparks Outrage With Podcast Remarks
During the interview, Netanyahu praised British writer Randolph Churchill for his positive coverage of Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. When the host asked whether Netanyahu was unfairly singling out the UK by suggesting Isn’t all of Europe is like that?
, Netanyahu doubled down on his claims. Yes, but you know someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic republic of Britain,
he stated.
Commentators noted that Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has maintained a nuclear arsenal since the 1990s. Observers pointed out that Netanyahu’s remarks played into far-right Islamophobic tropes concerning Britain’s Muslim minority population, echoing similar language used by US Vice-President JD Vance during the 2024 presidential campaign when he suggested the UK could become the first truly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon
.
Backlash From British Jewish Groups and Political Figures
The remarks drew sharp condemnation from British Jewish leaders and political figures, who slammed the comments as divisive and dangerous. Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Lev, co-leads of the Movement for Progressive Judaism, issued a joint statement denouncing the Prime Minister’s rhetoric.
At a time when antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and social division are causing real fear across our country, language of this kind is dangerous and irresponsible,
the rabbis said, adding: Prime Minister Netanyahu does not speak for British Jews. His words do not represent us.
Gavin Barwell, who served as Downing Street chief of staff to former Prime Minister Theresa May, characterized the statements as blatant Islamophobia. Writing on X, Barwell urged observers to drop any pretension that Netanyahu remains a friend to Britain. Meanwhile, Avi Dabush, a candidate for the Knesset with Israel’s opposition Democrats party, criticized Netanyahu for mocking a critical ally while Israel faces mounting global isolation.
Deepening Strain in UK-Israel Relations
The podcast controversy unfolds against a backdrop of escalating diplomatic friction between Israel and the UK. Relations have grown increasingly strained over the Gaza war and the British government’s changing approach to Israel’s military campaign. Friction intensified following the rise of the UK Labour Party to power, with former Prime Minister Keir Starmer having paused free trade talks and suspended certain arms export licences.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently apologized for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, admitting the party was too slow to call for a ceasefire. Burnham signaled a significant shift in policy by stating that the UK must exert greater pressure on the Israeli government through potential further sanctions on individuals and entities, alongside measures to ban the trade of goods originating from illegal settlements.
Rodwan Abouharb, an associate professor in international relations at University College London, described Netanyahu’s jibe as marking a new low in bilateral ties, while suggesting the remarks may be intended for domestic political purposes to shore up a fractured governing coalition in Israel.
