India A Major Global Power: Netanyahu Seeks New Allies Amid Fears Of Hostile US President

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for stronger ties with India and Latin American countries, warning that a future US president could adopt a hostile stance towards Israel. He unveiled a new national security doctrine ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, arguing that the country must prepare for changes in Washington while expanding its international partnerships.

Netanyahu said Israel should make the most of the remaining two years of US President Donald Trump’s current term while preparing for a possible shift in American policy.

“In two years, a President, man or woman, could come to power who is very hostile to Israel,” Netanyahu warned, underlining his concerns about the country’s long-term relationship with Washington.

Netanyahu identified India as a key partner in his efforts to diversify Israel’s diplomatic relationships, describing it as a “major global power”. He argued that Israel needed a broader network of alliances rather than depending heavily on its relationship with the United States.

“There is a major shift in Latin America, and there could be an enormous change in Brazil in just a few days,” Netanyahu said, pointing to potential political developments that could create opportunities for closer ties with governments in the region.

Netanyahu has previously highlighted his close relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and what he sees as strong public support for Israel in India. He has described the affection for Israel among Indians as “absolutely crazy”, reinforcing New Delhi’s importance in Israel’s efforts to expand its diplomatic reach and counter international criticism.

The new doctrine, developed with assistance from Israel’s National Security Council, outlines a shift towards preventive and offensive action, stronger protection for the domestic front, greater independence in ammunition production and technological superiority. It also calls for strengthening Israel’s position as a regional power and intensifying efforts against global antisemitism.

The doctrine has drawn criticism from opposition leaders ahead of the October 27 election. Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces and one of Netanyahu’s principal electoral rivals, dismissed the two-page document as “hollow” and filled with slogans. He argued that it failed to provide a meaningful strategy for addressing Israel’s security challenges, including the lessons of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid also criticised the document, describing it as a collection of slogans without substance. Both leaders questioned whether the proposed strategy offered a credible response to Israel’s security challenges.