{
  "id": 972264,
  "title": "UK hits back after Netanyahu labels it 'the Islamic republic of Britain'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/uk-hits-back-after-netanyahu-labels-it-the-islamic-republic-of-britain",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T06:16:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "http://www.euronews.com/2026/08/15/uk-hits-back-after-netanyahu-labels-it-the-islamic-republic-of-britain"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The UK government has responded to comments made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who derisively referred to Britain as an \"Islamic republic\" in an army radio podcast interview. According to the New Straits Times and Free Malaysia Today, Netanyahu's remarks were branded as \"completely unacceptable\" by a UK government spokesman, who added that the comments had been raised with the Israeli government.\n\nNetanyahu made the comments while criticizing the UK's stance on Israel, and his words echoed those of far-right politicians and commentators who have made baseless claims that parts of Britain have come under Islamic law due to immigration. In the podcast interview, Netanyahu also referenced a quote about Britain being the \"first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons,\" saying it with a smile.\n\nAn Israeli government spokesman, David Mencer, later downplayed Netanyahu's comments in a BBC radio interview, saying that Netanyahu was simply quoting someone else.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ynetnews",
        "title": "Netanyahu mocks UK as ‘Islamic Republic of Britain’ in podcast remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/netanyahu-mocks-uk-as-islamic-republic-of-britain-in-podcast-remarks",
        "published": "2026-08-13T17:44:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Netanyahu calls UK an ‘Islamic republic,’ jokes it would be first one with nukes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/netanyahu-calls-uk-an-islamic-republic-jokes-it-would-be-first-one",
        "published": "2026-08-14T07:07:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Netanyahu describes UK as first Islamic republic to get a nuclear weapon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/netanyahu-describes-uk-as-first-islamic-republic-to-get-a-nuclear",
        "published": "2026-08-14T12:00:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Netanyahu calls U.K. 'Islamic Republic of Britain' in podcast appearance",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/netanyahu-calls-u-k-islamic-republic-of-britain-in-podcast-appearance",
        "published": "2026-08-14T14:20:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Netanyahu brands Britain an ‘Islamic republic’ as it prepares Israel sanctions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/netanyahu-brands-britain-an-islamic-republic-as-it-prepares-israel",
        "published": "2026-08-14T15:21:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "UK criticises Netanyahu over ‘Islamic republic of Britain’ comment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/uk-criticises-netanyahu-over-islamic-republic-of-britain-comment",
        "published": "2026-08-14T21:45:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "\"Unacceptable\": UK Slams Netanyahu Over \"Islamic Republic Of Britain\" Remark",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/unacceptable-uk-slams-netanyahu-over-islamic-republic-of-britain",
        "published": "2026-08-15T01:34:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "UK slams Netanyahu over 'Islamic republic of Britain' remark",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/uk-slams-netanyahu-over-islamic-republic-of-britain-remark",
        "published": "2026-08-15T03:36:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}