Netanyahu Calls UK the Islamic Republic of Britain

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the United Kingdom as the "Islamic Republic of Britain" during a podcast interview with former military officer Avi Harush. Netanyahu contrasted the current British political climate with the pro-Israel stance of Winston Churchill's grandson and joked that Britain might become the first Islamic republic to possess nuclear weapons, linking the comment to Israel's objective of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities.

The remarks follow a period of strained diplomatic relations caused by the United Kingdom's recognition of a Palestinian state and its criticisms of Israeli military conduct in Gaza. The Israeli Cabinet has specifically criticized the UK Labour administration for its policy shifts.

In response to internal party friction, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologized for the Labour Party's initial handling of the conflict. Starmer stated the party "got it wrong" and was "too slow to call for a ceasefire," although he did not label Israel's actions as genocide.