Netanyahu rejects JD Vance's remark, says Israel receives 'tremendous support' from India

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refuted US Vice President JD Vance’s remark that it should avoid criticising its “only powerful ally”, the US, stating that his country gets “tremendous support” from India.

Netanyahu cites India

Elaborating further, Netanyahu said that despite having respect for Vance, he does not agree with everything he says. However, he agreed that US President Donald Trump is Israel’s “greatest friend” in the White House.

Also Read: Netanyahu admits differences with Trump as US-Israel rift deepens over Lebanon campaign

"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," said Netanyahu in an interview with Fox News on Sunday (July 5).

"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.

Claims global backing

The Israeli PM claimed that despite criticism on social media and sections of the international media, several state leaders tell him in private that they respect him and seek cooperation in terms of military tactics, artificial intelligence and cyber expertise.

Also Read: Netanyahu's Lebanon gambit risks derailing Trump's Iran peace deal

"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.

"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 added.

Vance's remarks

Netanyahu's comments were made in response to remarks Vance made during a White House briefing last month, where the US Vice President called on Israel to avoid actions that could complicate ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Also Read: Trump asks Netanyahu not to strike Iran; says 'very close' to peace deal

"If I were 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 responding to reports that Israeli leaders were unhappy with the US-Iran agreement and had criticised US President Donald Trump.

White House meeting

Separately, an Axios report said Trump revealed that Netanyahu had sought a meeting at the White House, which could be held after the US President returns from the NATO summit. Trump said the two leaders had spoken over the phone and expected to meet soon, though Israeli officials suggested the visit was more likely to take place the following week because of Trump's travel schedule.

The planned talks come against the backdrop of reported disagreements between Trump and Netanyahu over Iran, Lebanon and wider regional security matters. Even so, both leaders have agreed to hold discussions in Washington as Israel heads towards its October elections.