Archive · 15 Aug 2026
UK Calls Netanyahu's 'Islamic Republic of Britain' Remark Unacceptable
Benjamin Netanyahu is the leader of Israel.
He said something on an Israeli army radio show that upset the United Kingdom.
He repeated a saying that called Britain an 'Islamic republic.'
The UK government called his words completely unacceptable and told Israel's government about it.
Netanyahu was asking whether Britain still supports Israel the way it did during a war in 1967.
He also said Israel is making sure there will not be another nuclear Islamic republic 'here in Iran.'
Israel's spokesman said Netanyahu was just quoting US Vice President JD Vance.
Vance said something similar in 2024, and British leaders criticized him then too.
Britain and Israel have been disagreeing lately about the war in Gaza and other issues.
The UK called Netanyahu's 'Islamic Republic of Britain' remark 'completely unacceptable' and raised the matter with the Israeli government.
Netanyahu made the comment during an Israeli army radio podcast interview while criticising Britain's approach to Israel.
He cited Winston Churchill's grandson's support for Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and questioned whether Britain offers similar support today.
Israeli spokesman David Mencer said Netanyahu was quoting US Vice President JD Vance, who made a similar remark at the 2024 Munich Security Conference.
The row deepens already strained UK-Israel ties over the Gaza conflict, Britain's recognition of Palestinian statehood, and the US-Israeli war against Iran.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the UK government led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- What
- Britain condemned Netanyahu's 'Islamic Republic of Britain' remark as 'completely unacceptable' and raised the matter with the Israeli government.
- When
- On Friday, August 15, 2026, after Netanyahu made the comment in an Israeli army radio podcast interview the previous day.
- Where
- The row involves the United Kingdom and Israel; the comment was made in an interview for Israeli army radio.
- Why
- Netanyahu was criticising Britain's stance on Israel while citing Winston Churchill's grandson's support in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, amid strained UK-Israel ties over the Gaza conflict and other issues.
UK Government View
Israeli Government View
Netanyahu's 'Islamic republic' remark
UK Government View
The UK called the comment 'completely unacceptable' and raised it with the Israeli government; critics note the language echoes far-right rhetoric that has drawn accusations of Islamophobia.
Israeli Government View
Israeli spokesman David Mencer said Netanyahu was quoting a remark previously made by US Vice President JD Vance, not expressing his own view.
Britain's stance toward Israel
UK Government View
The UK says ties are strained by disagreements over Israel's policies and the Gaza conflict; Britain recognised Palestinian statehood and its new PM says Israel was not pressed hard enough to halt its Gaza offensive.
Israeli Government View
Netanyahu questioned whether Britain still supports Israel as it did during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, criticising Britain's approach amid reported plans to consider banning trade with West Bank settlements.
Iran and nuclear weapons
UK Government View
Britain, usually closely aligned with Washington, kept its distance from the US-Israeli war launched in February against Iran.
Israeli Government View
Netanyahu said Israel is ensuring there will not be 'another one here in Iran' and has long vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a goal Tehran denies pursuing.
- UK response
- Called the remark 'completely unacceptable' and raised it with the Israeli Government on Friday
- Where remark was made
- Israeli army radio podcast interview
- Quote in question
- "Someone once said that the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons would be the Islamic republic of Britain"
- Israeli response
- Spokesman David Mencer said Netanyahu was quoting US Vice President JD Vance
- Earlier similar remark
- JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference in 2024 warned Britain could become 'the first truly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon'
- Context
- Netanyahu cited Winston Churchill's grandson's support for Israel in the 1967 war and said Israel is preventing 'another one here in Iran'
- Background strain
- Gaza conflict disagreements, Britain's recognition of Palestinian statehood last year, and Britain's distance from the US-Israeli war against Iran launched in February
- UK Prime Minister
- Andy Burnham, who said predecessor Keir Starmer did not press Israel hard enough on Gaza and that Britain would consider banning trade from West Bank settlements
