Netanyahu Calls UK 'Islamic Republic of Britain' in Podcast

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the United Kingdom as the "Islamic Republic of Britain" during an Israeli Army Radio podcast on Friday.

He also joked that Britain could become the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons, echoing a 2024 remark by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. Netanyahu criticized British media coverage of Israel, comparing it to reporting during the 1967 Six-Day War. The British Foreign Office called the comments completely unacceptable and stated the issue had been raised with the Israeli government.

Relations between London and Israel have strained since the UK formally recognized the State of Palestine in September 2025, a move rejected by Netanyahu's government. The exchange follows new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's statements that Labour didn't get it right on Gaza and that Britain needed to exert greater pressure on Israel through sanctions and trade measures.

Despite this, Britain has maintained military-export ties with Israel, though it suspended some arms licenses in 2024. London also provided military support during this year's conflict with Iran, deploying aircraft to intercept Iranian attacks and authorizing U.S. forces to use British bases.