His comments, made during an interview for Israel\u2019s army radio, played into a common far-right Islamophobic trope about Britain\u2019s small Muslim population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netanyahu praised positive coverage of Israel by the journalist Randolph Churchill, the son of former prime minister Winston Churchill, over half a century ago, then said: \u201cGo find that in today\u2019s Britain, in what is called the Islamic republic of Britain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather than challenge Netanyahu\u2019s comments, the host questioned whether he is unfairly singling out the UK, asking: \u201cIsn\u2019t all of Europe like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netanyahu replies by doubling down. \u201cYes, but you know someone said the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons will be the Islamic republic of Britain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has had a nuclear arsenal since the 1990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Relations between the UK and Israel have been increasingly strained in recent months, especially since Andy Burnham took over in No 10. Shortly before becoming prime minister, he apologised for Labour\u2019s initial response to Israel\u2019s military action in Gaza<\/a>, saying the party \u201cdidn\u2019t get it right\u201d and needed to \u201cdo better\u201d under his leadership, signalling a significant shift in the UK\u2019s approach to the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In July, he said he would \u201cdo more to put pressure on the Israeli government\u201d, including through further sanctions on individuals and entities, as well as a potential ban on the trade of goods with illegal settlements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The US vice-president, JD Vance, made remarks<\/a> similar to Netanyahu\u2019s comments<\/a> during the 2024 presidential campaign, saying the UK could become the first \u201ctruly Islamist country that will get a nuclear weapon\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n London\u2019s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has also been a frequent target of racialised attacks from rightwing leaders abroad, including<\/a> Donald Trump, seeking to gain political advantage from Islamophobic lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Muslim leaders in the UK have said that hate crimes targeting their community are hitting new levels<\/a> amid a rise in far-right rhetoric and growing support for anti-immigrant political parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avi Dabush, who is running for the Knesset with Israel\u2019s opposition Democrats party, attacked Netanyahu for mocking a critical ally at a time when Israel faces unprecedented global isolation. \u201cThat\u2019s what happens when there\u2019s a horrific diplomatic failure, and an inability to rally countries in the world in favour of our interests,\u201d he said in a social media post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ed37498bf93e8d1e550cb7ba71a026a5be21e117\/0_0_2625_1750\/master\/2625.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none\")
<\/a>![\"Children](\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/984b705b2dc75d9b66b3afd2357474640da9ad05\/681_0_6830_5464\/master\/6830.jpg?width=460&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=7d172bc3be5b53c79323083ff1835528\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n