Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jul 6: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has underscored India's strong backing for Israel while responding to remarks by US Vice President J. D. Vance, who recently described the United States as Israel's "only powerful ally."
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said that although Israel shares an excellent relationship with the United States, he does not agree with every statement made by Vance. He praised US President Donald Trump as the "greatest friend" Israel has ever had in the White House, while stressing that Israel also enjoys strong ties with other nations, including India.
Referring to India as a close friend, Netanyahu noted the overwhelming support he receives from Indians on social media. "We have some other friends like the small country called India. It has 1.4 billion people, and we have tremendous support there. On Facebook, I am flooded by the overwhelming support, and we have many others," he said.
The Israeli leader also argued that public opinion in several countries often differs from the stance of their governments. Without identifying specific nations, Netanyahu said it has become "fashionable" in many places for traditional and social media to circulate anti-Israel and antisemitic content. Despite this, he claimed that several world leaders privately express respect for Israel and seek closer cooperation.
According to Netanyahu, many foreign leaders approach Israel to discuss defence collaboration, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other advanced technologies. He asserted that Israel's technological capabilities have made it a sought-after partner despite criticism in public discourse. He further said Israel values its friendships and remains committed to protecting Christian communities across the Middle East.
Netanyahu's comments came in response to Vance's criticism of members of the Israeli cabinet over their objections to President Trump's efforts to broker an end to the Iran conflict. Speaking at a White House press briefing on June 18, Vance described Trump as the only world leader currently sympathetic to Israel and urged Israeli ministers not to publicly criticise their strongest strategic partner.
"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 had said while defending the Trump administration's diplomatic approach toward the conflict.