![\"world\"](\"https:\/\/images.firstpost.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/fp\/revamp_v1\/earth.svg\")
More from World<\/p>\nNetanyahu’s remarks come at a time when relations between Israel and Britain have become increasingly strained over the Gaza war and UK’s approach to Israel’s military campaign <\/p>\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked controversy after referring to the UK as the \u201cIslamic republic of Britain\u201d and describing it as the “first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon” during a podcast interview.<\/p>\n
According to a Guardian report, Netanyahu made the remarks during an interview for Israel\u2019s army radio, where he was discussing Britain’s changing political landscape and its relationship with Israel.<\/p>\n
The Israeli leader invoked the legacy of former British prime minister Winston Churchill while praising positive coverage of Israel by journalist Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s son, more than five decades ago.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu then contrasted that period with what he described as the UK’s current political environment, added the report.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo find that in today\u2019s Britain, in what is called the Islamic republic of Britain,\u201d Netanyahu was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n
The interviewer did not directly challenge the description but instead asked whether Netanyahu was unfairly singling out Britain, suggesting that similar developments could be seen across Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t all of Europe is like that?\u201d the host asked.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu responded by repeating and escalating his claim, drawing a comparison between Britain and countries that officially identify as Islamic republics.<\/p>\n
More from World<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but you know someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic republic of Britain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The remarks appear to draw on a far-right narrative portraying Britain as increasingly influenced by its Muslim population, despite Muslims representing a minority of the country’s population.<\/p>\n
Pakistan, whose official name is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has possessed nuclear weapons since the 1990s.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s comments therefore also appeared to invoke Pakistan as a reference point when discussing the prospect of Britain becoming an \u201cIslamic republic\u201d with nuclear capabilities.<\/p>\n
UK-Israel ties under strain<\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s remarks come at a time when relations between Israel and Britain have become increasingly strained over the Gaza war and the UK’s approach to the Israeli government’s military campaign.<\/p>\n
The relationship has faced particular pressure since Andy Burnham became British prime minister. Before taking office, Burnham apologised for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, acknowledging that the party \u201cdidn\u2019t get it right\u201d and needed to \u201cdo better\u201d under his leadership.<\/p>\n
His comments signalled a tougher approach toward the Israeli government and a significant shift in Britain’s position on the conflict.<\/p>\n
In July, Burnham said he would \u201cdo more to put pressure on the Israeli government\u201d. He also indicated that Britain could impose additional sanctions on individuals and organisations and potentially restrict trade involving goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements.<\/p>\n
The growing tensions have added to disagreements between the two countries over Israel’s conduct of the Gaza war, Britain’s position on Palestinian statehood and the broader international response to the conflict.<\/p>\n
Similar remarks from JD Vance<\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s comments also echo remarks made by US Vice-President JD Vance during the 2024 US presidential campaign.<\/p>\n
Vance had warned that Britain could become the first \u201ctruly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon\u201d, using language similar to Netanyahu’s latest description of the UK.<\/p>\n
British political figures, particularly those from Muslim backgrounds, have also frequently been targeted by rightwing politicians and commentators abroad.<\/p>\n
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been the subject of repeated racialised and Islamophobic attacks, including from US President Donald Trump, who has used criticism of Khan as part of broader attacks on Britain’s approach to immigration and multiculturalism.<\/p>\n
Muslim community leaders in Britain have warned that hostility toward Muslims has intensified, with hate crimes reaching concerning levels amid the growth of far-right rhetoric and increasing support for anti-immigration political movements.<\/p>\n
Criticism within Israel<\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s comments have also drawn criticism from within Israel.<\/p>\n
Avi Dabush, a candidate for Israel’s opposition Democrats party, accused the prime minister of attacking a key Western ally at a time when Israel is facing growing international isolation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what happens when there\u2019s a horrific diplomatic failure, and an inability to rally countries in the world in favour of our interests,\u201d Dabush said in a social media post.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s government is widely regarded as the most rightwing administration in Israel’s history. His government has increasingly faced criticism over its relations with traditional Western allies while strengthening ties with rightwing and far-right political figures overseas.<\/p>\n
Critics have also pointed to Netanyahu’s engagement with politicians accused of promoting antisemitic or extremist views, arguing that such alliances have further complicated Israel’s international standing.<\/p>\n
No immediate response from governments<\/p>\n
According to Guardian, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to requests for comment on whether Netanyahu’s description of Britain reflected the official position of the Israeli government.<\/p>\n
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu’s remarks are likely to further strain an already difficult relationship between London and Jerusalem, particularly as Britain continues to face pressure over its policy toward Israel and the Gaza conflict.<\/p>\n
With inputs from agencies<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Netanyahu’s remarks come at a time when relations between Israel and Britain have become increasingly strained over the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":103697,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2],"tags":[7786,10256,13,2734,43558,3764,30,5427,6669,43559],"class_list":["post-103696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-britain","tag-andy-burnham","tag-benjamin-netanyahu","tag-britain","tag-gaza-war","tag-islamic-republic-of-britain","tag-islamophobia","tag-israel","tag-jd-vance","tag-nuclear-weapons","tag-uk-israel-ties"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/117095525579371096","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103696"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103696\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}