Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel could face an unfavourable administration in the United States in the future, potentially affecting military cooperation and the strategic partnership between the two countries
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Speaking at an event ahead of the October 27 general elections, Netanyahu said Israel must build new international alliances, particularly with India and Latin American countries, to strengthen its position and reduce its vulnerability to potential changes in US policy.
Netanyahu cautioned that a change of power could take place in the United States within the next two years, bringing a president who may adopt a tougher or more hostile approach towards Israel. He questioned how Israel would deal with such a situation and stressed the need to prepare in advance.
His remarks came just hours after US President Donald Trump expressed strong support for Netanyahu's election campaign.
The Israeli prime minister emphasised that his country should make full use of Trump's current term to strengthen its strategic position. He said Israel must continue managing its relationship with Washington while exploring alternatives in other parts of the world to minimise the impact of any future shift in American policy.
Netanyahu said he was working to expand partnerships with countries across the Middle East and beyond. Specifically referring to India, he stressed that it was a major country and highlighted the importance of building closer relations with other nations as well.
He also pointed to the changing political landscape in Latin America, including Brazil, and argued that Israel needed to broaden its network of international partners. According to Netanyahu, Israel should strengthen its capabilities and make its contribution valuable enough for other countries to seek closer cooperation.
Netanyahu Highlights Ties With India
This is not the first time Netanyahu has referred to Israel's relationship with India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while rejecting suggestions that Israel is becoming internationally isolated.
In May, he also highlighted Israel's distinctive relationship with India, describing it as a major power and saying that people there had a strong affinity for Israel.
Political analysts in Israel have linked growing dissatisfaction with the country within sections of the US Democratic Party to some of Netanyahu's political decisions. His relationships with former US presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden were frequently marked by tensions.
However, Netanyahu has presented his willingness to stand his ground in dealings with American presidents as a sign of strong leadership to his domestic supporters. This approach has remained a key theme of his election campaigns, reinforcing his image as a leader who prioritises Israel's national interests even when doing so creates disagreements with Washington.
His latest remarks underline Israel's efforts to diversify its international partnerships while maintaining its longstanding strategic relationship with the United States.
