Arabic version: نتنياهو يصف بريطانيا بأنها «جمهورية إسلامية»

According to Middleeasteye, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Britain as an “Islamic republic” during an interview broadcast by Army Radio, as London was expected to consider new measures relating to Israel in September.

Netanyahu said favourable British coverage of Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war had disappeared. “Try to find that now in Britain, which you could call the Islamic republic of Britain,” he said. When the host suggested that all of Europe was similar, Netanyahu replied that someone had said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons would be Britain.

Multiple sources told Middle East Eye that the British government was poised to announce a raft of policies, including a possible ban on goods from illegal Israeli settlements. The Foreign Office was also examining sanctions against individuals and organisations involved in the Israeli settler movement in the occupied West Bank, the report said.

Middle East Eye said Netanyahu’s comments contrasted with Britain’s record of support for Israel. Under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Labour government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in July 2025. London also conducted surveillance flights over Gaza, shared intelligence with Israel and trained Israeli military personnel on British courses before pausing future participation late in 2025.

Britain suspended 29 export licences to Israel in September 2024 after identifying a “clear risk” that equipment could facilitate violations of international humanitarian law, while saying the move was not an arms embargo. By February 2026, Israel appeared on 395 non-suspended export licences, including 203 covering military goods. The report also said Starmer authorised US use of British bases for strikes in March 2026, with his successor Andy Burnham continuing that access in July.