Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the United Kingdom as the "Islamic Republic of Britain" during a podcast interview on August 13, sparking diplomatic tension [1, 2, 3]. He said, "Go find that in today’s Britain, in what is called the Islamic republic of Britain," and added, "Someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic republic of Britain" [1, 3]. Netanyahu referenced a prior comment by US Vice-President J.D. Vance at the 2024 Munich Security Summit, where Vance suggested the UK could become the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons [1, 2, 3].
The UK government condemned the remarks as "completely unacceptable" and raised the issue directly with the Israeli government on August 14 [2]. A UK government spokesman said the comments had caused concern. British Jewish leaders also criticized Netanyahu’s statements as hateful and divisive. Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Lev of the Movement for Progressive Judaism declared, "Prime Minister Netanyahu does not speak for British Jews. His words do not represent us" [3].
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer sought to downplay the controversy, explaining on August 14 that Netanyahu was quoting Vice-President Vance’s earlier remarks, not expressing an original view [2].
Netanyahu also praised Randolph Churchill’s positive coverage of Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, contrasting it with what he described as current negative attitudes in Britain toward Israel [1, 3]. The relationship between the UK and Israel has grown strained under the Labour government led by Andy Burnham since 2024. The UK recognized Palestinian statehood in 2025 and imposed sanctions on some far-right Israeli politicians. Burnham has apologized for Labour’s initial response to Israeli military actions in Gaza [1, 2, 3].
The latest remarks from Netanyahu come amid this backdrop of diplomatic tension. The UK government’s formal complaint is the latest development following the podcast interview. Further discussions between the two governments are expected in the coming days [2].
