DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Netanyahu Mocks Britain as "Islamic Republic," Drawing Opposition Fire

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu referred to Britain as "the Islamic Republic of Britain" in a podcast interview, suggesting it could be the first nuclear-armed Islamic republic.
  • The comments drew criticism from opposition figures in Israel, who called them a diplomatic failure amid the country's international isolation.
  • Netanyahu's remarks were made during a discussion about historical reporting on the Six-Day War and contrasted contemporary Britain with its past.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked controversy with remarks describing Britain as "the Islamic Republic of Britain," suggesting it could become the first nuclear-armed nation of its kind. The comments, made during an interview on Israel Army Radio's podcast, have drawn sharp criticism from Israeli opposition parties.

Look for it in today's Britain, look for it in the so-called 'Islamic Republic of Britain.'

— Benjamin NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister describing contemporary Britain during a podcast interview.

During the interview, Netanyahu praised a 1960s report by Randolph Churchill, son of Winston Churchill, on the Six-Day War. He then contrasted that era with the present, asking listeners to "look for it in today's Britain, look for it in the so-called 'Islamic Republic of Britain.'" When pressed by the host about whether this applied to all of Europe, Netanyahu doubled down, adding, "Yes, but someone said that the first Islamic Republic to have nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain."

These statements have been met with backlash from Israeli opposition figures. Avi Dabush, who is set to run for the opposition party "Democrats" in the upcoming Israeli parliamentary elections, criticized Netanyahu's remarks as a severe diplomatic failure. Dabush argued that such comments were made at a time when Israel faces unprecedented international isolation.

Yes, but someone said that the first Islamic Republic to have nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain.

— Benjamin NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister elaborating on his description of Britain during the same podcast interview.

The remarks echo similar sentiments expressed by U.S. Vice President Vance during his 2024 campaign, who suggested Britain might become the first "true Islamist state" to acquire nuclear weapons. The report also notes that Pakistan officially holds the name "Islamic Republic of Pakistan" and has possessed nuclear weapons since the 1990s. Relations between the UK and Israel have recently been strained, with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham having previously apologized for the Labour government's early handling of Israel's military actions in Gaza and vowing to increase pressure on the Israeli government.

Netanyahu's diplomatic failures are severe, mocking an important ally at a time when Israel faces unprecedented international isolation.

— Avi DabushIsraeli opposition politician criticizing Netanyahu's recent remarks about Britain.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog