The British government has publicly rebuked Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he described the UK as the "Islamic republic of Britain" during a radio interview, calling the remarks "completely unacceptable" and saying the issue had been raised with the Israeli government.
Immediate diplomatic response
A government spokesperson said Westminster had taken up the matter with Israel following remarks Mr Netanyahu made on an army radio podcast. The interview included a comment in which the Israeli leader joked that the UK was "the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons" and referenced coverage from Randolph Churchill of Israel during the Six-Day War.
"Try and find that now, in what is called the Islamic republic of Britain,"
The host of the programme encouraged the line of argument, asking whether "all of Europe" was similarly changed. Mr Netanyahu replied: "Yes, but someone said, 'the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic republic of Great Britain.'" He added: "So, we'll make sure there isn't a second one here in Iran."
Context and diplomatic strain
The comments echo rhetoric used by some on the British and international right who argue that the UK is becoming more influenced by Islam. They come amid a period of increased tension between the two countries since Labour prime minister Andy Burnham took office.
Mr Burnham, before entering Number 10, apologised for his party's initial response to the war in Gaza and said it needed to "do better". While he condemned Hamas's October 7 attacks and described antisemitic incidents in the UK as "appalling", he also said it was vital to be clear in criticism of actions in Gaza, calling the "unbearable suffering in Gaza" a "scar on our collective conscience" and saying the continued killing of innocent Palestinians, including children, was "completely unacceptable".
Political and public implications
The British government's decision to raise the comments directly with Israel underlines the sensitivity of language used by national leaders and the potential diplomatic fallout when remarks are perceived as insulting to another country. The exchange also highlights the broader debate over migration, religious influence and national identity that has surfaced in recent years across Europe.
- Netanyahu's remarks: Described the UK as an "Islamic republic" and joked about nuclear capability in the same context.
- UK response: Government called the comments "completely unacceptable" and raised the matter with the Israeli government.
- Wider backdrop: Strained UK–Israel relations since the arrival of PM Andy Burnham and renewed focus on Gaza and responses from UK political leaders.
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| During army radio podcast (no exact date given) | Netanyahu described the UK as the "Islamic republic of Britain" and made related comments. |
| Reported 15 August 2026 | British government labelled the remarks "completely unacceptable" and raised them with Israel. |
Diplomatic sources were not quoted directly in the report, and neither Downing Street nor the Israeli government provided extended comment beyond the exchange summarised above. The controversy is likely to feed into ongoing discussions in Whitehall about how the UK handles relations with Israel at a time when public and parliamentary scrutiny of foreign policy in the Middle East has intensified.
Analysts will watch whether the incident prompts further formal protest or an effort by either capital to de‑escalate tensions. For British domestic politics, the episode also underscores how foreign leaders' commentary can impact perceptions at home, and potentially influence debates about social cohesion, security and the character of public discourse.
With relations already under strain since the change of government, officials in both London and Jerusalem face a choice between containment and escalation as they manage the fallout from the remarks. The UK has signalled its displeasure; how Israel responds formally will determine whether the matter becomes a prolonged diplomatic issue.
