Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under criticism after referring to the United Kingdom as the “Islamic Republic of Britain” while expressing concerns over what he described as the country’s changing position towards Israel.
Netanyahu made the remark during an interview on the Israeli podcast Melech Blitzer Haim, which aired on Thursday.
While discussing British media coverage of Israel, Netanyahu praised British writer Randolph Churchill for his reporting during the 1967 Six-Day War. He then contrasted that coverage with what he described as the current stance of the British media.
Netanyahu sarcastically referred to Britain as the “Islamic Republic of Britain” before linking the remark to Iran’s nuclear programme.
“Someone said that the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain. We’re making sure there won’t be another one like that in Iran,” Netanyahu said.
When asked whether he believed the description could also apply to Europe more broadly, he replied in the affirmative.
BACKLASH OVER ISLAMOPHOBIA
The comments have attracted criticism from Jewish figures and former British officials, who accused Netanyahu of using language that could contribute to anti-Muslim sentiment.
Gavin Barwell, a former Downing Street chief of staff under former Prime Minister Theresa May, described the remark as Islamophobic.
Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Lev, co-leads of the Movement for Progressive Judaism, also criticised Netanyahu’s comments.
They said the remarks were particularly concerning at a time when antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred and wider social tensions remain issues of concern in Britain.
They also stressed that Netanyahu does not speak for British Jews and that his comments do not represent their views.
ISRAEL-UK RELATIONS UNDER STRAIN
Netanyahu’s comments come amid growing tensions between Israel and Britain over the war in Gaza and the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The British government has criticised Israel’s military operations in Gaza and suspended some arms export licences to Israel. It has also imposed sanctions on Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
London has further adopted a stronger position on Palestinian statehood and criticised Israeli policies in the occupied Palestinian territories, placing it increasingly at odds with Netanyahu’s government.
The disagreements have contributed to a growing diplomatic rift between the two countries despite their longstanding political and security ties.
IRAN REMAINS CENTRAL TO NETANYAHU’S WARNING
Netanyahu’s reference to Britain came within his broader criticism of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The Israeli prime minister has repeatedly described Iran’s nuclear programme as a major threat to Israel and maintained that Tehran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
By linking Britain to the term “Islamic Republic” and then referring to Iran, Netanyahu appeared to use the comparison to criticise what he views as Britain and other European countries adopting increasingly critical positions towards Israel.
The remarks could further complicate relations between London and Jerusalem as Western governments face growing pressure over Israel’s conduct in Gaza while also dealing with wider tensions involving Iran.
