Netanyahu called the United Kingdom the "British Islamic Republic."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the United Kingdom the “Islamic Republic of Britain.” He used this ironic phrase while criticizing the way British media covers Israel. 

 

Al Jazeera reports that his statement comes at a time when tensions between the governments of Israel and the United Kingdom are escalating.

 

Netanyahu made these remarks during Israel's Melech Blitzer Haim podcast, which aired on August 13. During the conversation, he cited British journalist Randolph Churchill, who had covered Israel positively during the 1967 Six-Day War.

 

“Try to find such coverage in today's Britain. It could be called the 'Islamic Republic of Britain,'” Netanyahu said.

 

The Israeli Prime Minister later also mentioned the idea of Britain becoming an “Islamic state” with nuclear weapons. He was referring to similar remarks previously made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance.

 

“Someone said that the first Islamic Republic to have nuclear weapons would be the 'Islamic Republic of Britain.' We are ensuring that another one does not emerge here, in Iran,” Netanyahu said.

 

Netanyahu's remarks were criticized by representatives of Jewish communities in Britain and Ireland.

 

Co-chairs of the Movement for Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Charley Baginski and Rabbi Josh Lev, described his statement as “dangerous and irresponsible.”

 

They stressed that at a time when antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, and societal divisions are on the rise, using such language would further inflame the situation.

 

“Prime Minister Netanyahu does not speak on behalf of British Jews. His words do not represent us,” they said.

 

Gavin Barwell, who served as chief of staff at Downing Street under former British Prime Minister Theresa May, called Netanyahu's statement “blatant Islamophobia.”

 

Although Israel and the United Kingdom have historically had close relations, tensions between the two governments have increased since the Labour Party came to power in 2024.

 

Under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the United Kingdom suspended free trade negotiations with Israel and halted some licenses granted for arms exports.

 

Additionally, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on far-right ministers in the Israeli government, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

 

In 2025, the United Kingdom, alongside allies such as France and Canada, recognized the State of Palestine. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also recently apologized for the Labour Party's initial response to Israel's actions in Gaza. He stated that the party had been too slow in calling for a ceasefire.

 

Burnham said it was necessary to consider measures such as imposing additional sanctions on individuals linked to violence in Gaza and banning goods traded with illegal settlements.

 

Rodwan Abouharb, an associate professor of international relations at University College London, described Netanyahu's ironic statement about the United Kingdom as a “new low” in relations between the two countries.

 

At the same time, he noted that there is significant common ground between Israel and the United Kingdom regarding their political goals toward Iran.

 

According to Abouharb, Netanyahu's statement may be aimed at domestic political purposes, including strengthening his weakening ruling coalition.