Netanyahu Calls UK "Islamic Republic of Britain," Cites Nuclear Weapons

Conflict8 sourcesAug 14, 2026

Leans leftFactual rigor 48/100

The Story

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the United Kingdom as the Islamic republic of Britain and the first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon during a podcast interview for Israel’s army radio.

The comments aired on Thursday, August 14, 2026, on the Israeli podcast Melech Blitzer Haim. Netanyahu objected to British media coverage of Israel, praising British writer Randolph Churchill for his positive coverage of Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. He then stated, "Go find that in today’s Britain, in what is called the Islamic republic of Britain." When the host questioned if he was unfairly singling out the UK, Netanyahu doubled down.

What they agree on

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the United Kingdom as "the Islamic Republic of Britain" in a recent podcast interview.
Netanyahu also claimed the UK would be the "first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon."
Pakistan is the only Muslim country that possesses nuclear weapons, having had an arsenal since the 1990s.
Netanyahu's comments were made during an interview on an Israeli podcast, which aired on Thursday, August 14, 2026.
Netanyahu's remarks referenced or echoed previous statements made by US vice president JD Vance regarding the UK.

Where they split

The Guardian and Al Jazeera specify the podcast as "Israel's army radio" and "Melech Blitzer Haim" respectively, while The National (Scotland) refers to it as a "podcast broadcast on the country’s military radio."
The National (Scotland) includes the detail that Netanyahu was speaking with Avi Harush, a former Israeli military officer whose son was killed in Gaza, a detail not present in other articles.
The National (Scotland) and The Guardian mention the UK Government facing criticism at home for its support for Israel during the assault on Gaza, including a figure of 75,200 killed, which Al Jazeera and GB News do not include.
Al Jazeera includes a statement from a British and Irish Jewish group, the Movement for Progressive Judaism, criticizing Netanyahu's comments, which is not present in The Guardian or The National (Scotland).