Netanyahu Invokes India to Push Back

on JD Vance's 'Only Ally' Remark

Washington — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back on US Vice President JD Vance's suggestion that the United States is Israel's "only powerful ally," pointing instead to the depth of

support Israel enjoys from India, a country of 1.4 billion people, as evidence that Israel's global standing is far broader than Vance's remark implied.

The Original Vance Remark

The episode traces back to comments Vance made last month during a White House briefing, when he was responding to reports that Israeli officials were unhappy with a US-brokered Iran peace agreement and had criticized President Donald Trump over it. Cautioning Israel against publicly attacking Washington, Vance said, "If I was 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." The remark was widely read as a pointed warning to Israeli leaders not to jeopardize their relationship with the US even amid disagreements over Iran policy.

Netanyahu's Response

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu addressed the comment directly but sought to keep the tone measured rather than combative. "I respect JD Vance, and we have a very good relationship, but it doesn't mean that I agree with everything that he says," he said, before reaffirming his closeness to the US president: "Donald Trump is the greatest friend we ever had in the White House, and I stand by that completely."

He then turned to India as a counterpoint to the idea that Washington is Israel's only significant ally. "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," Netanyahu said. He added a personal touch to underline the point, referencing his own social media following: "You know, I have this Facebook thing, and I'm just flooded by the overwhelming support there."

Netanyahu went further, describing how other world leaders privately approach him for cooperation despite public criticism of Israel in some quarters. "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?'" he said. He also highlighted Israel's standing in the technology sector, noting that the country ranks as the world's second-largest hub for cybersecurity and possesses advanced technological capabilities. Taken together, Netanyahu argued, these relationships show that "the relations are not quite as they appear, and we have many, many friends."

Context: Strains Between Washington and Jerusalem

Netanyahu's comments come against the backdrop of reported friction between Trump and Netanyahu over several regional issues, including Iran, Lebanon, and broader security matters in the Middle East. According to a report by Axios, Netanyahu has requested a meeting with Trump at the White House, which may take place after Trump returns from the NATO summit. Trump has said the two leaders spoke by phone and agreed to meet soon, though Israeli officials suggested the visit could be pushed to the following week given Trump's travel schedule. Despite the tensions, both sides have reportedly agreed to hold the Washington meeting as Israel looks ahead to its October elections.

Why India Matters to the Narrative

Netanyahu's choice to invoke India is notable given the trajectory of India-Israel relations in recent years, which have grown steadily closer on defense, technology, and diplomatic cooperation. By citing India's scale and the online support he says he receives from Indian audiences, Netanyahu appears to be constructing a narrative of broader global backing for Israel — one that extends beyond its traditional reliance on Washington and pushes back on the implication that Israel has no leverage or standing without US backing.

The remark also arrives at a moment when India itself has been navigating a delicate balancing act in West Asia, maintaining ties with Israel while also engaging with Iran and Gulf countries amid the region's ongoing instability. Separately, Iran has publicly thanked India for participating in mourning proceedings following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, underscoring the layered and sometimes contradictory diplomatic relationships all sides are managing simultaneously.

What Comes Next

With a Trump-Netanyahu meeting reportedly in the works and unresolved disagreements over Iran and Lebanon still simmering, Netanyahu's remarks are likely to be parsed closely in both Washington and Jerusalem as a signal of how much friction currently exists in the US-Israel relationship — and how Netanyahu intends to manage it heading into a high-stakes period for both governments.