Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back sharply against US Vice President J.D. Vance’s assertion that the United States is Israel’s “only powerful ally,” highlighting widespread international support — particularly from India.
Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu described India as a close friend and said he receives “tremendous” backing from Indian social media users. He reaffirmed his personal ties with US President Donald Trump, calling him “the greatest friend we’ve ever had in the White House,” but added that Israel’s diplomacy extends beyond Washington.
“We have a very good relationship, but it doesn't mean that I agree with everything that he says,” Netanyahu said, stressing that many countries maintain strong, pragmatic ties with Israel despite hostile public discourse. He accused some governments of tolerating anti Israel or anti Semitic content in media while privately seeking security, technology and defence cooperation with Israel. “Many leaders call me up and say, 'Hey, look, I have got this problem with public opinion, but I want you to know we respect you', and 'can we some deals, and can you teach us some of the things that your military does, can we have some of your AI and cyber expertise?” he said.
Netanyahu’s remarks follow Vance’s June 18 warning to Israeli ministers not to antagonise Trump’s proposed diplomatic initiatives on Iran. Vance told a White House briefing that Trump was “the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time,” and urged Israeli officials to be cautious about alienating Washington.
The exchange exposes a rare public divergence between senior US and Israeli officials over the characterisation of global support for Israel. Netanyahu used the Fox interview to rebut what he described as an oversimplified view of Israel’s international relationships and to underline New Delhi’s growing strategic affinity with Jerusalem.