Netanyahu calls Burnham's Britain a 'rogue state' over West Bank sanctions as his poll lead fades

From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026.

Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked Britain's Labour government as a 'rogue state' over its sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with the remarks emerging from exclusive interview audio released weeks before Israel's October 27 election. With Israelis heading to the polls in under three weeks, Netanyahu's Likud party is trailing in most polls in what analysts are calling the most consequential election since the October 7 attacks. Diplomatic correspondent Guy Azriel says Netanyahu faces 'major challenges' but remains 'the magician of Israeli politics'.

Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, the 'change' candidate once favoured to oust Netanyahu, has seen his poll lead all but vanish ahead of election day.

Azriel says the vote will be 'primarily about the war' and how Israel looks to the outside world, dealing a blow to Netanyahu's 'Mr Security' brand.