Benjamin Netanyahu sparks diplomatic backlash after labelling UK an “Islamic republic”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn widespread criticism following a radio interview in which he referred to the United Kingdom as the “Islamic republic of Britain” and suggested it could become the first Islamic republic with nuclear capabilities. The remarks, delivered during a broadcast on Israel’s Army Radio, have drawn condemnation for echoing far-right Islamophobic rhetoric.

During the exchange, Netanyahu contrasted media coverage of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war with modern British politics, questioning whether contemporary UK figures would offer similar support. Pressed by the interviewer on whether such dynamics applied to Europe as a whole, Netanyahu doubled down, repeating the assertion regarding Britain’s nuclear status. His comments notably ignored the fact that Pakistan, officially an Islamic republic, has possessed a nuclear arsenal since the late 1990s.

The incident has heightened existing diplomatic tensions between London and Jerusalem. The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office described the statement as completely unacceptable and confirmed the matter had been raised directly with the Israeli government. Domestically, Israeli opposition figures criticized Netanyahu for alienating a strategic international partner amid mounting diplomatic isolation.