‘Tremendous support in India’: Netanyahu rebuts JD Vance’s ‘only ally’ claim

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel enjoys “tremendous” support in India, pushing back against US Vice President JD Vance’s assertion that the United States is Israel’s “only powerful ally.”

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu highlighted India’s backing for Israel while responding to Vance’s comments.

“We have some other friends, like a small country called India. It has 1.4 billion people and, boy, do we have tremendous support there,” Netanyahu said.

He also pointed to the strong support he sees from Indian users on social media, saying he receives overwhelming backing on Facebook.

India-Israel ties

India and Israel have steadily strengthened bilateral ties in recent years, with Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharing a close personal rapport.

Earlier this year, Netanyahu described Modi as a “personal friend” and referred to India as a “global power.” During Modi’s state visit to Israel in February, the Indian prime minister reaffirmed India’s support for Israel, saying New Delhi stood with the country “firmly with full conviction.”

Vance’s ‘only powerful ally’ remark

Netanyahu’s comments came a day after JD Vance publicly criticised Israel amid reports of tensions within Netanyahu’s government over US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the Iran conflict.

During a press briefing, Vance said:

“Donald Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time.”

He added that if he were part of Israel’s cabinet, he would avoid criticising “the only powerful ally” the country has left, while also noting that much of the weaponry defending Israel had been supplied and funded by the United States.

Responding to those remarks, Netanyahu said he respects Vance but does not agree with everything he says. He also argued that Israel remains a sought-after strategic and technological partner, claiming many countries approach Israel for military expertise as well as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity capabilities.

Reports of US-Israel tensions

Speculation over strains between the Trump administration and Netanyahu has persisted since discussions began on ending the Iran conflict.

Last month, Axios reported that Trump privately described Netanyahu as “f**king crazy” and accused him of being ungrateful during disagreements over Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon even as Washington pursued diplomacy with Iran.

More recently, however, Trump downplayed suggestions of a serious rift, telling Axios that he and Netanyahu “get along very good” while adding, “He knows who the boss is.” The remarks came after Trump publicly criticised Israel over actions he believed could complicate efforts to maintain the ceasefire and broader regional stability.