"Islamic Republic of Britain!" Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Sparks Massive Row With Controversial Nuclear Joke!

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has triggered an international diplomatic storm after mockingly referring to the United Kingdom as the "Islamic Republic of Britain" and joking that it would become the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons. Speaking during an interview on an Army Radio podcast, Netanyahu made the provocative remarks while discussing demographic shifts across Europe and the growing diplomatic criticism directed at Israel by Western capitals.

During the discussion, Netanyahu recalled how the son and grandson of Britain's World War II leader Winston Churchill had reported favorably on Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. Contrasting that historical support with modern British politics, he remarked that one could hardly find such positive reporting in what he labeled the "Islamic Republic of Britain". Netanyahu went on to say that someone had joked that Britain-rather than Iran-would be the first Islamic republic to hold nuclear arms, quipping that Israel is actively ensuring that Tehran never builds one.

When the podcast host asked whether all of Europe was undergoing a similar transformation, Netanyahu agreed, arguing that growing Muslim immigrant communities across the continent are altering domestic electorates and turning European governments against Israel over the war in Gaza. His comments echoed earlier remarks from US Vice President JD Vance, who in 2024 similarly questioned the UK's political trajectory under the Labour Party.