Israel Reacts to Donald Trump's Return to Power in US Election
Even before the US presidential election polls had closed on Tuesday night, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had taken to Twitter, posting "Yesssss" in English, while adding emojis of a flexing bicep and images of the Israeli and American flags.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his congratulations to Trump on Wednesday, calling his election performance "history's greatest comeback!"
Dear Donald and Melania Trump,
Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!
Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.
This is a huge victory!
In true friendship,… pic.twitter.com/B54NSo2BMA— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) November 6, 2024
"Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America," Netanyahu said. "This is a huge victory!"
Later Wednesday Netanyahu's spokesperson said the Israeli prime minister had been among the first foreign leaders to call Trump and offer his congratulations personally.
"The conversation was warm and cordial," Netanyahu's office said, adding that the two men had "agreed to work together for Israel's security" and also discussed "the Iranian threat."
Despite Trump's criticism of the Israeli leader's handling of the ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu was widely believed to favor the former U.S. leader in the U.S. election. Tension between Washington and Tel Aviv has risen sharply over the last year, with President Biden and others criticizing Israel's tactics in its multi-front war with Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East.
The war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that saw the militants kill some 1,200 people and kidnap about 250 others, has now killed more than 43,000 people in the Palestinian territory, according to its Hamas-run health ministry. Israel has also significantly ramped up its assault on Hezbollah, Hamas' fellow-Iranian backed allies in Lebanon. The Israeli offensive there has killed more than 3,000 people, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The Biden administration has continued pushing for cease-fires on both fronts, to no avail, and demanding that Israel do more to mitigate the devastating impact of the wars on civilians.
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