Benjamin Netanyahu says Britain is an "Islamic Republic of Britain"

During a lengthy Israeli army radio conversation devoted to grief and remembrance, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insulted the United Kingdom by describing it in terms usually associated with Iran, and British officials responded sharply. The remark came near the end of an emotional podcast with Avi Harush, a father whose son was killed in Gaza, after talk turned to Netanyahu’s late brother and a meeting with Winston Churchill’s grandson. Netanyahu’s wording echoed a past statement by U.S. Vice President JD Vance about Britain and nuclear weapons. U.K. authorities called the comment unacceptable and said they had raised it with Israel, while broadcaster Piers Morgan called Netanyahu an idiot. The episode underscores mounting friction between the two allies over British policy toward Israel.