Netanyahu Calls UK Government 'Rogue State' for Appeasing Islamists and Attacking Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the United Kingdom's government of behaving like a "rogue state" by appeasing an "Islamist leftist alliance" and attacking Israel. In an exclusive interview, Netanyahu asserted that Britain's actions, such as banning trade with Israeli settlements and withholding arms licenses, are a form of appeasement towards adversaries and a betrayal of an ally.

Netanyahu's criticism comes after the UK government's decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements on the West Bank and to recognize a Palestinian state before all hostages from the Oct. 7 attacks were freed. He expressed particular indignation that these moves coincided with Israel providing intelligence that thwarted an impending Iran-sponsored attack on RAF Fairford.

"It was stopped. It was prevented," Netanyahu stated, emphasizing that without Israeli intelligence, "it would probably have gone through and we don't know how many British lives would have been lost." He described the UK government's stance as "mind-blowing hypocrisy," arguing that Israel has saved British lives by sharing information about impending attacks, yet London is attacking Israel, "the country that is fighting the terrorists in the terrorist regime that is attacking them."

He accused the Labour government of bowing to domestic pressure from Islamist forces within Britain. "There is a pressure from inside Britain to appease these various Islamist forces in Britain. And once you start appeasing, you don't stop," he said, invoking Churchill's warning about the "slumber of democracies" while enemies attack.

Relations between the two countries, according to Netanyahu, are "not very good" when Britain appeases Israel's "common enemies" and attacks Israel. He characterized the conflict as the "Battle of Western civilization against these barbarians," criticizing what he sees as attempts to glorify Hamas and other Islamist groups that have killed people of various nationalities.

"Israel is painted as this great devil. We're not the devil. We're a tiny country fighting here in the heart of the Middle East, not only to protect ourselves, but also to protect the modern Arab states against the Iranian domination and these murderous proxies," Netanyahu explained. He reiterated that Israel views Britain as an ally despite occasional differences.

Netanyahu suggested the UK government has "gone rogue" to ingratiate itself with its political base. He argued that the "Islamist Leftist alliance" is antithetical to democratic values, citing their treatment of women and gay individuals, and their violence. He contrasted this with Israel, a democracy fighting against such regimes.

Despite extensive intelligence ties between Israel and Britain, particularly concerning terrorism and Iran, Netanyahu declined to explicitly state whether Israel would continue sharing intelligence, though he confirmed a recent instance related to the Fairford incident. He claimed that Israeli intelligence has repeatedly helped protect Britain from attacks.

He also blamed Labour's policies towards Israel for fueling anti-Semitism, drawing parallels to historical vilifications that preceded violent attacks on Jewish people, culminating in the Holocaust. However, he noted that today, Israel has a state and an army to defend itself.

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu expressed confidence that the regime would eventually fall, crediting U.S. sanctions for weakening the Revolutionary Guard Corps. He questioned why protests in Britain are not directed at the Iranian embassy and why the British government's "full venom" is not aimed at Tehran and its proxies, instead of Israel.

Netanyahu criticized Western governments for focusing on Israel while overlooking the threat posed by Iran, a regime he accused of massacring its own citizens and destabilizing global economies and energy supplies.

Speaking about a recent hijack attempt on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Netanyahu indicated the attacker had undergone Islamist radicalization and suggested he was sent, promising severe retribution for those responsible. The incident occurred around the 50th anniversary of the Entebbe raid, where his brother was killed.

Netanyahu praised the Israeli passengers who intervened to prevent a 9/11-style tragedy, describing their actions as miraculous. He also touched upon domestic politics, citing his government's record against Hamas and Hezbollah and its efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

He also revealed the personal toll of political life, stating that virulent attacks on his wife and children are difficult to endure. In his final remarks, Netanyahu addressed the UK's small-boat crisis, warning that failure to control its borders could lead to the loss of Britain. He expressed regret over the deterioration of the relationship between the two countries, hoping for a recovery and a return to Britain's senses.