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Benjamin Netanyahu Warns Future US President Could Be Hostile, Urges Stronger India And Latin America Alliances
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Netanyahu warns future US president could be hostile; urges stronger India and Latin America alliances. He presented a security doctrine ahead of Israel’s October election, seeking broader partnerships.
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Netanyahu’s security doctrine
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that a future US president could be hostile to Israel and urged Israel to strengthen alliances with countries including India and nations in Latin America.
Netanyahu said, "In two years, a President, man or woman, could come to power who is very hostile to Israel," and he asked, "How would you deal with that? How would you operate in relation to the United States? And beyond that, what solutions would be necessary?"
Netanyahu presented his security doctrine on Sunday at an event held nine days before Israel's October 27 election, and he said Israel must use the remaining years of US President Donald Trump's presidency to strengthen its position.
Netanyahu also said, "First, we must do everything we can during these two years, and during the following two years, in the American arena, through good times and bad," as he framed the doctrine around preparing for a possible shift in Washington's approach.
Netanyahu emphasized alliance-building beyond Washington, saying, "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," while pointing to political developments in Latin America and Brazil.
Trump endorsement and domestic pushback
US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu's re-election bid hours after Netanyahu presented his security doctrine, according to the accounts describing the timing of the endorsement. Netanyahu stressed that Israel must prepare for changes in American policy while continuing engagement in Washington, and he said, "First, we must do everything we can during these two years, and during the following two years, in the American arena, through good times and bad." Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's main challenger in the election, criticized the presentation as a political exercise, saying, "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 added that the document amounted to slogans, saying, "Two hollow pages, full of slogans that have nothing whatsoever to do with a security doctrine, reveal more than anything the strategic vacuum Netanyahu has left the State of Israel in and his disregard for the security of Israeli citizens." Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of using fear and political messaging to influence voters, and he said, "This is Netanyahu's method: manipulating perceptions, frightening people and trying to divert attention from the parade of lies and racism surrounding his campaign tonight," as the exchange placed security strategy and international relationships at the center of the campaign.
Alliances, defense spending, and risk
Netanyahu linked his alliance push to a hedge against a potentially hostile US administration, warning that a future shift in Washington could threaten Israel's military assistance and strategic relationship with Washington.
Netanyahu said, "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," and he pointed to Latin America and Brazil as opportunities to expand Israel's diplomatic network.
Netanyahu also announced plans to allocate approximately 450 billion shekels in additional defense spending over the next decade, and he said, "I am putting about 450 billion shekels into this so that we have the capabilities and the teeth."
Ynetnews | Israeli described Netanyahu as warning that a future US administration could suspend military assistance or even join international sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel, framing the doctrine around preparing for those possibilities.
Netanyahu also argued that Israel still had diplomatic leverage but would need international expertise to navigate changes in Washington and other capitals, while he described his approach as a comprehensive plan aimed at bringing down the Iranian government, saying, "Our plan is very comprehensive and very determined, to bring about the downfall of the regime".