Final Up to date:
The diplomatic row started after Netanyahu made the remark throughout an interview for an Israeli military radio podcast, whereas criticising Britain’s method to Israel.
Combo picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. (AFP images)
Britain on Friday hit again at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he referred to the UK as an “Islamic republic”, calling the comment “fully unacceptable” and saying it had raised the matter with the Israeli authorities.
The diplomatic row started after Netanyahu made the remark throughout an interview for an Israeli military radio podcast, whereas criticising Britain’s method to Israel.
“Somebody as soon as mentioned that the primary Islamic republic with nuclear weapons could be the Islamic republic of Britain,” Netanyahu mentioned, including that Israel was making certain there wouldn’t be “one other one right here in Iran”.
UK Rejects Netanyahu’s Comment
A UK authorities spokesperson mentioned: “These feedback are fully unacceptable and we’ve raised them with the Israeli Authorities.”
Netanyahu had been discussing Winston Churchill’s grandson, additionally named Winston Churchill, and his assist for Israel in the course of the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict. He questioned whether or not Britain had comparable assist for Israel immediately earlier than making the “Islamic republic” comment.
Israeli authorities spokesman David Mencer sought to minimize the feedback in a BBC interview, saying Netanyahu had been quoting another person.
“He [Netanyahu] was making a quote that another person had given,” Mencer mentioned, referring to US Vice President JD Vance.
Vance had made the same comment on the Munich Safety Convention in 2024, warning that Britain might develop into “the primary really Islamist nation that can get a nuclear weapon”. The feedback have been criticised by senior British politicians on the time.
The newest dispute comes amid rising variations between London and Jerusalem over Israel’s army campaigns and the broader Center East conflict.
Britain was amongst a number of European international locations to recognise a Palestinian state final yr, angering Israel. The UK has additionally maintained a extra cautious place than Washington over the US-Israeli conflict towards Iran.
Netanyahu has repeatedly mentioned Israel will stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, whereas Tehran denies looking for them.
The UK and US possess nuclear weapons, whereas Israel is broadly believed to have an undeclared nuclear arsenal. Pakistan grew to become the primary nuclear-armed Muslim-majority state in 1998 after conducting nuclear checks following India’s checks that yr.
(With inputs from companies)
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The comment by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been known as “fully unacceptable” by the UK authorities, which has raised the matter with the Israeli authorities. This incident provides to already strained relations between the UK and Israel, which have been impacted by the Gaza conflict and the UK’s method to Israel’s army marketing campaign.
Ask News18In regards to the Creator
The Information Desk is a group of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse a very powerful occasions unfolding in India and overseas. From reside updates to unique stories to in-depth explainers, …Learn Extra
United Kingdom (UK)
August 15, 2026, 03:11 IST
Learn Extra
