[International] Israeli PM Calls UK an 'Islamic Republic'; UK Govt Calls Remarks Unacceptable
RtiTalk 小編10d ago
On the 14th, the UK pushed back against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's sarcastic remarks in an interview calling the UK an "Islamic Republic," stating these comments were "completely unacceptable."
The diplomatic dispute stemmed from the right-wing prime minister's criticism of the UK's stance on Israel during a podcast interview with a military radio station the previous day.
Netanyahu's remarks echoed the rhetoric of far-right politicians and commentators in the Western world who baselessly claim that parts of the UK are governed by Islamic law due to immigration, accusations that have been labeled as Islamophobia.
A spokesperson for the UK government said on the 14th: "These remarks are completely unacceptable, and we have conveyed this to the Israeli government."
In the podcast interview, Netanyahu spoke about how the grandson of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill publicly supported Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
Netanyahu asked, "Can you see that happening today?"
Netanyahu laughed and said, "It was said that the first Islamic Republic with nuclear weapons would be Britain, the Islamic Republic of Britain," adding, "We made sure another one didn't appear in Iran."
David Mencer, a spokesperson for the Israeli government, appeared to downplay Netanyahu's remarks in an interview with BBC Radio.
Mencer said, "He (Netanyahu) was quoting someone else," and stated that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance had previously made "these remarks."
Mencer added, "He was quoting the Vice President."
Vance stated in 2024 that the UK could become "the first truly nuclear-armed Islamist state," a comment that drew condemnation from British politicians at the time.
The UK is one of several European countries that recognized the statehood of Palestine last year, a move that angered Israel.
Andy Burnham, the new Mayor of Greater Manchester, recently stated that former Prime Minister Andy Burnham did not apply enough pressure on Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza.
In an interview with The Guardian shortly before taking office, Burnham said the UK would consider banning imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967.
The UK has consistently aligned with Washington's stance but has distanced itself from the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran in February.
Netanyahu has long vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies.
Both the UK and the US are nuclear powers. While Israel has never publicly admitted to possessing nuclear weapons, it is widely believed to have them.
In 1998, Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in response to its arch-rival India's nuclear tests, making Pakistan the first Islamic country to possess nuclear weapons. (Editor: Chen Wen-wei)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=226390
How does this article make you feel?
0 people reacted