NETANYAHU SPARKS BRITISH FURY: 'Islamic Republic Of Britain' Nuclear Remark Draws Backlash

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu triggered a diplomatic dispute after remarks made during an appearance on Israel's Army Radio. During the podcast, Netanyahu stated that "someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain," And noted that Israel is working to prevent another such state emerging in Iran.

The comment drew sharp criticism in Britain. Broadcaster Piers Morgan denounced Netanyahu, calling him an "idiot." MK Avi Dabush of the Democrats also objected, saying: "You are a prime minister, you have a responsibility, and you sit and joke about Britain, a Security Council member six times larger than Israel."

Netanyahu's remark drew from earlier comments by U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Speaking at the National Conservatism conference in Washington while serving as a senator and vice-presidential candidate in July 2024, Vance said Britain could become "the first truly Islamist country" To obtain nuclear weapons. Vance described discussing nuclear proliferation risks with a friend, saying: "We thought, maybe it's Iran, maybe Pakistan already kind of counts, and then we decided that maybe it's actually Britain, since Labour came to power."

The episode adds to months of heightened tensions between Israel and Britain, as the British government under the Labour Party has adopted a more critical posture toward Israeli policy.