‘Islamic Republic of Britain’: Netanyahu’s next Iran warning comes as UK-Israel ties sour over Gaza

Amid the ongoing Iran war and Israel’s efforts to prevent Tehran from building nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described United Kingdom as the “Islamic Republic of Britain”.

Netanyahu made the remark while discussing the threat of another Islamic state acquiring nuclear weapons, drawing a comparison between Britain and Iran. “You might call Britain the ‘Islamic Republic of Britain’,” Netanyahu said.

He added, “Someone said that the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic Republic of Britain.”

“We’re making sure there won’t be another one—you know, in Iran,” he said.

‘First Islamic Republic With Nuclear Weapons’

Netanyahu’s comment came as a joke, but it came against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing focus on Iran’s nuclear programme.

The remarks linked Israel’s strategy towards Iran with Netanyahu’s warning about the possibility of an Islamic state possessing nuclear weapons.

Why Netanyahu’s Britain Remark Matters

The comments come as the UK under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham is said to be taking a tougher policy stance towards Israel.

The UK and Israel continue to maintain a close, though increasingly strained, strategic partnership. Their relationship is based on deep defence, intelligence and technology ties, but has also been affected by major disagreements over Israel’s policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and the future of a two-state solution.

Netanyahu’s remarks appeared to reflect those tensions.

UK-Israel Ties Under Strain

Following the escalation of the Gaza conflict and increasing settler violence in the West Bank, the UK government in May 2025 announced that it would suspend negotiations on a new free trade agreement with Israel.

It also said it would review cooperation under the 2030 Roadmap.

In June 2026, the UK, along with allies including Australia, France and Norway, imposed sanctions on firms and an individual linked to financing or enabling settler violence in the West Bank.

Britain also tightened business guidance, warning UK actors against economic activity in illegal settlements.

The UK has repeatedly backed a two-state solution and supported ceasefires and the release of hostages.

In 2026, Britain reaffirmed its recognition of Palestine as part of efforts to preserve the viability of a future Palestinian state.

Against this backdrop, Netanyahu’s description of Britain as the “Islamic Republic of Britain” comes as relations between the two countries face growing disagreements over Israel’s policies and the wider regional conflict.