‘We have huge support in India’: Benjamin Netanyahu on JD Vance’s ‘US is Israel’s only powerful ally’ comment | Today’s news
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to US Vice President JD Vance’s remark that the United States is “the only powerful ally of the Jewish state”. In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said that Israel enjoys “enormous” support from India.
“I respect JD Vance and we have a very good relationship, but that doesn’t mean I agree with everything he says. Donald Trump is the best friend we’ve ever had in the White House, and I fully stand by that,” he said.
We have friends in India
Netanyahu then pointed to India’s support for Israel.
“We have some other friends like a little country called India. You know it’s got 1.4 billion people and boy do we have tremendous support there. You know, I have this Facebook thing and I’m overwhelmed by the tremendous support there is,” he said.
Netanyahu also pointed out that Israel enjoys support from several other countries despite criticism on social media and parts of the international media.
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“A lot of leaders call me and say, ‘Look, I have this problem with public opinion, but I want you to know that we respect you and we can make some deals and you can teach us some of the things that your military does and we can have some of your AI and cyber expertise?'” Netanyahu said.
“Israel is a world leader in technology”
He added that Israel remains a global leader in technology.
“You know, Israel is the number two cyber country in the world and our technology is so good. So relations are not quite what they seem and we have many, many friends,” he said.
What Vance said about US-Israeli relations
Netanyahu was responding to comments Vance made last month during a White House briefing in which he called on Israel to respect the ongoing US-Iran peace talks.
“If I were in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally I have left anywhere in the world,” Vance said. The US vice president made the remarks amid growing friction between the Trump administration and Netanyahu over the Iran war.
Read also | Netanyahu addresses Trump’s influence, defines US-Israel relations under Iran deal
How the Iran War Strained US-Israeli Relations
US leaders, including Trump, have publicly criticized Israel and Netanyahu in recent weeks for their reluctance to accept a US-Iran peace deal that included a clause ending the conflict in Lebanon. Israel, which invaded Lebanon in March in pursuit of Hezbollah, initially said it was not bound by the US-Iran deal.
This resulted in some ugly exchanges between Trump and Netanyahu. Last month, Axios reported that Trump called Netanyahu an “effing fool” during a phone call and accused him of ingratitude.
Read also | Trump takes a shot at Israel: ‘They’ll do what I say’ on Lebanon
Trump-Netanyahu meeting
Despite these differences, the two leaders agreed last week to meet in Washington as Israel prepares for elections in October.
Trump said the two leaders would meet soon after the phone conversation, although Israeli officials have indicated the visit may be rescheduled for next week due to Trump’s travel commitments.
Key things
- Netanyahu promotes diverse international support for Israel, especially from India.
- The relationship between Israel and the US is complicated and faces criticism.
- Israel’s technological prowess continues to attract global partnerships.
