JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for strengthening strategic alliances with India and other countries as Israel prepares for the possibility of a future US administration adopting a hostile policy towards it, highlighting his effort to diversify the country’s international partnerships beyond its traditional reliance on Washington.
Netanyahu made the remarks on Sunday while presenting his security doctrine, nine days before Israel’s October 27 election. He warned that a future US president could be hostile towards Israel and stressed the need to use the remaining years of US President Donald Trump’s tenure to consolidate Israel’s position while building alternative international partnerships.
Observers said Netanyahu is seeking to strengthen ties with India and other countries to reduce Israel’s reliance on Washington, warning that a future US president could adopt a hostile policy towards Israel.
His remarks come ahead of Israel’s election, as opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot accuses him of presenting political messaging rather than a credible security strategy.
“In two years, a President, man or woman, could come to power who is very hostile to Israel,” Netanyahu said, questioning how his country would respond to such a shift in American policy.
He said Israel must work to strengthen ties with Washington during the remaining two years of Trump’s current term and the subsequent period, regardless of political circumstances.
“The second thing is to create other alliances. That is what I am working on now with many countries in our region and outside it. India is not a small country, and there are many others,” Netanyahu said.
He also pointed to political developments in Latin America, suggesting that changes in the region could create fresh opportunities for Israel to expand its network of international partners.
“There is a major shift in Latin America, and there could be an enormous change in Brazil in just a few days,” he said, adding that Israel needed to broaden its alliances and develop capabilities that would make it valuable to other countries.
India emerges as a key strategic partner
Netanyahu has repeatedly highlighted Israel’s relationship with India and his personal ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as evidence that Israel retains significant international support despite growing diplomatic challenges.
In May this year, Netanyahu described India as a major global power and spoke of the close relationship between the two countries, saying there was “crazy love” for Israel in India.
His latest remarks underscore the importance his government attaches to strengthening ties with New Delhi as part of a broader effort to reduce the risks associated with possible changes in US foreign policy.
The Israeli prime minister’s comments came hours before Trump publicly endorsed his re-election bid, highlighting the contrast between Netanyahu’s efforts to prepare for a potentially less supportive future US administration and his current backing from the American president.
Relations with US Democrats remain strained
Analysts in Israel have attributed growing disillusionment with Netanyahu among some Democrats to decisions made by his government over the years. His relations with Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden were frequently strained.
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Netanyahu has often portrayed his willingness to challenge US presidents as a demonstration of leadership and his determination to defend Israeli interests. Analysts say this approach has also featured prominently in his election campaigns and helped reinforce his political standing among supporters. Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.
Opposition challenges security doctrine
Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s principal challenger in the upcoming election, sharply criticised the security doctrine presentation, describing it as a political exercise rather than a substantive national security strategy.
“Nine days before the election and three years after the gravest failure and disaster in Israel’s history, with every war front still open, Netanyahu decided to present his ‘security doctrine’ to the public,” Eisenkot said.
The former chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces accused Netanyahu of offering little more than slogans and failing to provide a credible strategic direction for the country. He also accused the prime minister of attempting to influence voters through fear and divert attention from criticism of his campaign.
Netanyahu’s call for stronger international alliances comes as Israel faces continuing security challenges and a politically sensitive election campaign, with relations with Washington and the country’s broader diplomatic position likely to remain central issues in the debate over its future direction.
