Netanyahu's Britain "Islamic Republic" Remark Sparks Row

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has triggered a diplomatic controversy in Britain following remarks he made during a podcast interview on Israel's Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) with host Avi Harush. During the conversation, Netanyahu stated that "someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain," adding that Israel is working to ensure another such republic doesn't emerge in Iran.

The comment drew sharp rebukes in the United Kingdom. British broadcaster Piers Morgan issued a scathing response, calling Netanyahu an "idiot." Israeli opposition lawmaker Avi Deboush of the Democrats party also criticized the prime minister, saying: "You are a prime minister, you have responsibilities, and you're sitting there making jokes about Britain—a Security Council member six times larger than Israel."

The phrase Netanyahu used was not original, he was referencing a statement made by US Vice President JD Vance. In July 2024, while still a senator and vice-presidential candidate, Vance spoke at the National Conservatism conference in Washington, suggesting that Britain could become "the first truly Islamist country" to obtain nuclear weapons.

Vance described a conversation with a friend about nuclear proliferation risks, saying they considered whether it might be Iran or Pakistan, "and then we decided maybe it's actually Britain, since Labour came to power."

However, the use of this phrase by Israel's sitting prime minister is being viewed as particularly problematic at a time when Israel needs international support. Netanyahu himself noted during the interview that Britain today lacks the pro-Israel sentiment that characterized its coverage of the Six-Day War.

The incident adds to a series of diplomatic tensions between Israel and Britain in recent months, as the British government under the Labour Party has adopted a more critical stance toward Israeli policy.