Netanyahu Sparks Outrage by Calling UK 'Islamic Republic' in Podcast Interview
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the UK the "Islamic Republic of Britain" in a podcast, provoking condemnation from British Jewish groups and public figures. The remarks sparked outrage for their divisive tone amid social tensions in the UK.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu called the UK the 'Islamic Republic of Britain' in a 2026 podcast interview.
- British journalist Piers Morgan publicly criticized Netanyahu's remarks.
- UK Jewish communities, especially Reform groups, rejected Netanyahu's statements.
- The Movement for Progressive Judaism said Netanyahu does not represent British Jews.
- The comments came amid concerns about antisemitism and Islamophobia in the UK.
- The incident may affect Israel-UK relations and Jewish diaspora dynamics.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked controversy after referring to the United Kingdom as the "Islamic Republic of Britain" during an interview on the Galei Tzahal (Galatz) podcast on August 14, 2026. Netanyahu criticized the UK government, contrasting it with the positive coverage his father, the son of Churchill, received during the Six-Day War. He added, "Someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain."
The remarks drew sharp criticism internationally, including from British journalist Piers Morgan, who called Netanyahu an "idiot" on his X (formerly Twitter) account. Jewish communities in the UK, particularly Reform Jewish groups, also condemned the comments. The Movement for Progressive Judaism in Britain stated that Netanyahu "does not represent British Jews" and expressed being "shocked" by his rhetoric. They criticized his divisive language amid rising concerns about antisemitism, Islamophobia, and social polarization in the UK.
The backlash highlights tensions between Netanyahu's political rhetoric and the perspectives of Jewish communities abroad. The incident may further strain relations between Israel and the UK, as well as within the global Jewish diaspora. No official response from the UK government was reported at the time of publication.
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