Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked a fresh diplomatic controversy after making a sharply worded attack on the United Kingdom, describing it as the “Islamic Republic of Britain” and suggesting that it could become the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu made the remarks during a podcast interview broadcast by Israel’s Army Radio. While discussing what he described as a major change in British attitudes towards Israel, he contrasted the current political climate in Britain with the country’s earlier support for Israel.
Referring to journalist Randolph Churchill, son of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Netanyahu praised what he described as his favourable coverage of Israel decades ago. He then questioned whether similar attitudes could be found in Britain today.
“Go find that in today’s Britain,” Netanyahu said, before referring to the country as the “Islamic Republic of Britain.” When the interviewer suggested that similar trends could be seen across Europe, Netanyahu doubled down on his claim.
His remarks have attracted significant attention because the UK remains one of Israel’s longstanding Western allies, despite relations between the two countries becoming increasingly strained over the Gaza war and Britain’s evolving position on the conflict.
Tensions between London and Jerusalem
Netanyahu’s comments come at a particularly sensitive moment in UK-Israel relations. British leaders have increasingly criticised Israel’s conduct in Gaza and have called for greater international pressure over the humanitarian situation.
The British government has described Netanyahu’s comments as “completely unacceptable” and said the matter had been raised with the Israeli government.
The remarks have also drawn criticism from figures inside Israel. Opposition politician Avi Dabush accused Netanyahu of damaging relations with a key international partner at a time when Israel is already facing growing diplomatic isolation.
Iran and the nuclear issue
Netanyahu linked his criticism of Britain to Israel’s broader concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He has repeatedly argued that Israel’s military campaign against Iran is aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
However, his reference to Britain as a potential “Islamic republic with nuclear weapons” has itself generated controversy. Pakistan, which is officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, already possesses nuclear weapons, making Netanyahu’s formulation factually contentious.
The comments also echo remarks made by US Vice President JD Vance during the 2024 presidential campaign, when he similarly suggested that Britain could become the first genuinely Islamist country to acquire nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu also rejects Gaza proposal
The controversy over Britain came alongside Netanyahu’s rejection of a US-backed proposal aimed at ending the Gaza war.
According to Netanyahu, Washington had sent Israel a draft agreement, but his government did not accept it and instead submitted its own comments. He insisted that Israeli forces would not withdraw from their current positions until Hamas is fully disarmed.
The proposed framework reportedly envisioned Hamas beginning the disarmament process while Israel halted military strikes and withdrew from roughly 60 percent of the territory it currently controls.
Netanyahu’s latest comments therefore highlight two major diplomatic disputes simultaneously: Israel’s increasingly tense relationship with Britain and continuing disagreements with Washington over the future of Gaza.
As criticism from Western allies grows, Netanyahu’s unusually direct attack on Britain is likely to further intensify the diplomatic debate surrounding Israel’s foreign policy and its approach to the Gaza conflict.
