Israeli PM Netanyahu calls UK ‘the Islamic Republic of Britain’

What the report says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn criticism after referring to the United Kingdom as the “Islamic Republic of Britain” during a podcast appearance reported by Al Jazeera. The comments were made on the Israeli programme Melech Blitzer Haim and were linked to Netanyahu’s complaints about British media coverage of Israel. He also appeared to echo a remark associated with former US politician JD Vance about the UK and nuclear weapons. The Al Jazeera report said the remarks were described in translated Israeli media coverage.

The reaction was swift from Jewish community leaders in Britain and Ireland. Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Lev of the Movement for Progressive Judaism called the language hateful and divisive, warning that it could deepen social tension. They also said Netanyahu did not speak for British Jews.

The incident comes as relations between Israel and the UK have become more strained since the Labour government took power in 2024. Al Jazeera reported that London has paused free trade talks with Israel, suspended some arms export licences and imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers, while also joining other countries in recognising a Palestinian state. The row highlights how the war in Gaza and wider disagreements over Israel’s policies continue to affect ties with one of Israel’s longstanding European partners.