‘Completely Unacceptable’: UK Hits Back At Netanyahu Over ‘Islamic Republic Of Britain’ Remark

Last Updated:August 15, 2026, 03:20 IST

The diplomatic row began after Netanyahu made the comment during an interview for an Israeli army radio podcast, while criticising Britain’s approach to Israel.

Combo image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. (AFP photos)

Britain on Friday hit back at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he referred to the UK as an “Islamic republic”, calling the remark “completely unacceptable” and saying it had raised the matter with the Israeli government.

The diplomatic row began after Netanyahu made the comment during an interview for an Israeli army radio podcast, while criticising Britain’s approach to Israel.

“Someone once said that the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons would be the Islamic republic of Britain,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel was ensuring there would not be “another one here in Iran”.

UK Rejects Netanyahu’s Remark

A UK government spokesperson said: “These comments are completely unacceptable and we have raised them with the Israeli Government.”

Netanyahu had been discussing Winston Churchill’s grandson, also named Winston Churchill, and his support for Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. He questioned whether Britain had similar support for Israel today before making the “Islamic republic” remark.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer sought to play down the comments in a BBC interview, saying Netanyahu had been quoting someone else.

“He [Netanyahu] was making a quote that someone else had given,” Mencer said, referring to US Vice President JD Vance.

Vance had made a similar remark at the Munich Security Conference in 2024, warning that Britain could become “the first truly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon”. The comments were criticised by senior British politicians at the time.

(With inputs from agencies)

Key Questions Answered

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Why did Netanyahu make this controversial remark?

Netanyahu made the controversial remark during an interview for an Israeli army radio podcast while criticising Britain’s approach to Israel. He was discussing Winston Churchill’s grandson and questioned Britain’s current support for Israel before making the comment. The remark also came amid increasingly strained ties between London and Jerusalem.

How will this impact UK-Israel diplomatic ties?

The UK has called Benjamin Netanyahu’s remark “completely unacceptable” and raised the matter with the Israeli government. This incident adds to already strained relations between the UK and Israel, which have seen disagreements over Israel’s policies and the Gaza conflict.

Could this incident affect future international relations?

The incident could affect future international relations as the UK has called the remark “completely unacceptable” and raised the matter with the Israeli government. This diplomatic row follows increasing strain in relations between Israel and Britain over the Gaza war and the UK’s approach to Israel’s military campaign.

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