Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a more detailed response to U.S. Vice President Vance's claim that America is Israel's only friend that the Jewish state has 'several more friends,' and that many world leaders call him personally to express respect for Israel despite domestic public opinion pressures. He specifically cited India, calling it a 'small country' of 1.4 billion people with 'tremendous support' for Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu elaborated Sunday evening on his earlier response to U.S. Vice President Vance's claim that the United States is Israel's only ally, now asserting that many world leaders personally call him to express respect for Israel — despite domestic public opinion pressures in their own countries. Speaking in a more detailed statement, Netanyahu said Israel has 'several more friends' and specifically highlighted India, calling it a 'small country' of 1.4 billion people with 'tremendous support' for Israel. He quoted leaders as telling him: 'Hey, look, I have a problem with public opinion, but I want you to know that we respect you.'
The new comments add a personal dimension to a thread that began earlier Sunday. At 18:44 Jerusalem, The Zioneer first reported Netanyahu's response to Vance's 'only ally' remark in a Fox News interview, where he asserted Israel has 'many, many friends.' Minutes later, at 18:44 Jerusalem, he specifically named India as a key friend with 'tremendous support,' a point reinforced by our 22:24 Jerusalem bulletin. The current statement expands that rebuttal by characterizing the nature of those friendships — direct calls from world leaders — rather than merely listing allies.
The exchange is part of a wider public rift between the Trump administration and Israeli leadership. As The Zioneer reported Thursday June 18 at 19:27 and 21:43 Jerusalem, Vance escalated to say Trump is 'the only world leader sympathetic to Israel right now' and warned Israel against attacking its 'last remaining strong ally.' Trump himself, on Wednesday June 17 at 19:53 Jerusalem, described the U.S. as 'the big partner' and Israel as 'the very small partner.'
It remains unclear which specific world leaders Netanyahu was referring to, and whether any would express such support publicly — something the Prime Minister acknowledged by citing their domestic public opinion constraints. The claim has not been independently corroborated by named sources.
5 developments
- StrongVance escalates: 'Only world leader sympathetic to Israel now is Trump'
- DevelopingVance pushes back on Netanyahu frustrations over US-Iran deal
- StrongUS VP Vance: 'I wouldn't attack your last remaining strong ally' — Israeli pundit replies
- StrongUS VP Vance says Netanyahu 'got something wrong,' signals daylight in Washington
Source and signal
- Internal intake