Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday pushed back against US Vice President JD Vance's assertion that Israel should not criticize its "only powerful ally," the United States, by pointing to India as a major source of support.
Netanyahu's Response to Vance
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu acknowledged his respect for Vance but disagreed with the vice president's remarks. "I respect JD Vance, and we have a very good relationship, but it doesn't mean that I agree with everything that he says. Donald Trump is the greatest friend we ever had in the White House, and I stand by that completely," Netanyahu said.
He then pivoted to highlight India's backing. "We have some other friends, like a small country called India. You know it has 1.4 billion people, and boy, do we have tremendous support there. You know, I have this Facebook thing, and I'm just flooded by the overwhelming support there," he added.
Broader International Support
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel enjoys support from numerous countries despite criticism on social media and in parts of the international press. He noted that many world leaders privately express admiration and seek cooperation. "Many leaders call me up and say, 'Hey look, I've got this problem with public opinion, but I want you to know we respect you, and can we make some deals, and can you teach us some of the things that your military does, and can we have some of your AI and cyber expertise?'" Netanyahu said.
He also underscored Israel's technological leadership. "You know Israel is the number two country in cyber in the world, and our technology is so good. So the relations are not quite as they appear, and we have many, many friends," he stated.
Background of Vance's Remark
Vance's original comment came during a White House briefing last month, when he urged Israel to respect ongoing US-Iran peace talks. "If I was in the Cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world," Vance said, responding to reports that Israeli leaders were unhappy with the US-Iran agreement and had criticized President Trump.
Upcoming Netanyahu-Trump Meeting
According to an Axios report, Trump mentioned that Netanyahu had requested a White House meeting, which could occur after the US President returns from the NATO summit. Trump said the two leaders would meet soon after a phone conversation, though Israeli officials indicated the visit might be delayed by a week due to Trump's travel schedule.
The proposed meeting comes amid reported differences between Trump and Netanyahu over Iran, Lebanon, and broader regional security issues. Despite these differences, both leaders have agreed to meet in Washington as Israel prepares for its October elections.
