Netanyahu Criticizes UK Government, Calls it 'Rogue State'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sharply criticized the United Kingdom's current government, labeling it a "rogue state" for appeasing an "Islamist Leftist alliance" and attacking Israel. In an exclusive interview, Netanyahu expressed dismay over the UK's decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the withholding of some arms licenses.

Netanyahu stated that these actions coincided with Israeli intelligence tipping off British security services about an impending Iranian-sponsored attack on RAF Fairford, an attack he said Israel helped prevent. "It was stopped. It was prevented," Netanyahu said, adding that without Israeli intelligence, "it would probably have gone through and we don't know how many British lives would have been lost."

He accused the UK government of "mind-blowing hypocrisy," arguing that Israel has saved British lives by providing intelligence on impending attacks while London "appeases their enemies, and they attack their protectors." Netanyahu suggested this approach "doesn't serve Britain well, it doesn't serve the world well."

The Israeli Prime Minister indicated that Labour has been bowing to domestic pressure regarding its approach to Israel, influenced by "pressure from inside Britain to appease these various Islamist forces." He warned that "once you start appeasing, you don't stop," referencing Winston Churchill's idea of democracies slumbering while their enemies attack.

Describing the relationship between the two countries as "not very good," Netanyahu characterized the situation as a "Battle of Western civilisation against these barbarians." He criticized the portrayal of Israel as the aggressor, stating, "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 suggested the UK government, in an effort to "ingratiate itself with its political base, has gone rogue. Like a rogue state." He argued that the "Islamist Leftist alliance" should be viewed as "natural adversaries," pointing to their alleged actions such as "hang[ing] gays, you know, they deprive women of any rights. They murder their own people in Gaza, or Lebanon, or Iran."

Despite extensive intelligence ties between Israel and Britain, particularly concerning terrorism, Iran, and regional security, Netanyahu declined to explicitly state whether Israel would continue sharing intelligence. However, he confirmed that the intelligence provided regarding the Fairford incident was recent and not isolated, asserting that Israeli intelligence has repeatedly helped protect Britain from attacks.

He also blamed Labour's policies toward Israel for fueling anti-Semitism, drawing parallels to historical vilifications that preceded violent attacks on Jewish people, culminating in the Holocaust. "The one thing that has changed is that we now have a state. We now have an army. We have security and intelligence agencies that can help us protect ourselves," he said.

Turning to Iran, Netanyahu expressed confidence that the regime would eventually fall and urged Iranians to not lose faith. He questioned why demonstrators and the British government were not directing their anger towards Tehran, asking, "Why aren't you protesting outside the Iranian embassy? Why don't you get the full venom of the British Government?"

Netanyahu criticized Western governments for focusing criticism on Israel while overlooking Iran's actions, such as murdering its own citizens and impacting global economies and energy supplies. He praised Israel's role, with American allies, in countering Iran's nuclear program.

Reflecting on a recent hijack attempt on a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight, Netanyahu indicated that the attacker had undergone Islamist radicalization and that investigations were ongoing regarding whether he was sent, with assurances that whoever sent him would pay a heavy price. The incident occurred around the 50th anniversary of the Entebbe raid, in which his brother was killed.

He commended the Israeli passengers who intervened to prevent a 9/11-style tragedy on the hijacked flight, describing their actions as "extraordinary teamwork" and "miraculous."

Looking ahead to domestic politics, with elections scheduled for October 27, Netanyahu highlighted his government's record against Hamas and Hezbollah and its success in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He warned that an appeasing government internally, combined with external threats, was a "very deadly combination."

Netanyahu also spoke about the personal toll of public office, particularly the "virulent attacks" against his wife and children.

In his final remarks, Netanyahu addressed the small-boat crisis in the UK, stating that failure to regain control of borders could lead to Britain losing its identity. He expressed hope for Britain to "recover, to regain its senses," regretting the current direction of the relationship between the two countries.