Netanyahu calls UK 'first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons,' sparking diplomatic outcry

Netanyahu's podcast remarks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the United Kingdom as "the Islamic Republic of Britain" during a podcast interview on Israel's Army Radio programme "Melech Blitzer Haim," aired on Thursday, 13 August. Netanyahu praised British journalist Randolph Churchill, son of former prime minister Winston Churchill, for his "positive" coverage of Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, then challenged listeners to find similar coverage today. "Go find that in today's Britain, in what is called the Islamic Republic of Britain," he said. When the host asked whether all of Europe was not similarly situated, Netanyahu agreed and escalated: "Someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain." He added that Israel is "making sure there won't be another one here, in Iran."

The remark echoes 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." The claim is factually problematic: Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has possessed a nuclear arsenal since the 1990s.

Condemnation from multiple quarters

The comments drew swift criticism in both Israel and the UK. Israeli opposition figures accused Netanyahu of damaging strategic alliances and overseeing what The Guardian described as a "horrific diplomatic failure." Avi Dabush, a Knesset candidate with Israel's opposition Democrats party, attacked Netanyahu over the remarks.

In the UK, Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Lev, co-leads of the Movement for Progressive Judaism, issued a joint statement.

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.

They added that Netanyahu "does not speak for British Jews" and that "his words do not represent us." Former Downing Street chief of staff Gavin Barwell accused Netanyahu of "flagrant Islamophobia."

Deteriorating UK-Israel relations

The verbal attack comes amid a sharp deterioration in London-Tel Aviv ties. Under former Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the UK paused free trade talks with Israel and suspended some arms export licences. In June 2025, the UK joined Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and France in sanctioning far-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for incitement to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. In September 2025, the UK alongside France and Canada announced formal recognition of a Palestinian state, prompting Netanyahu to accuse Starmer of rewarding "monstrous terrorism" and favouring "jihadist ideology." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the recognition a "mistake."

Burnham's harder line

Since Andy Burnham became prime minister, relations have not improved. Before taking office, Burnham apologised for Labour's initial response to Israel's military action in Gaza, saying the party "didn't get it right" and needed to "do better." In July, he pledged to "do more to put pressure on the Israeli government," including further sanctions on individuals and entities and a potential ban on trade with goods from illegal settlements. The UK has also distanced itself from the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran launched in February. Muslim leaders in the UK have warned that hate crimes targeting their community are reaching new levels, amid rising far-right rhetoric and growing support for anti-immigrant political parties. London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, has been a frequent target of racialised attacks from rightwing leaders abroad, including Donald Trump.