On Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is disappointed by India’s vote against the Jerusalem issue but one negative vote will not affect the ties. Previously, the U.S. President Donald Trump spoke about considering Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Trump further took the issue to the U.N. Council and faced complete isolation and humiliation in the world body. A total of 128 countries including India voted against Trump’s decision with 9 countries voting in favour and 35 countries abstaining it.
Netanyahu said, “Yes, naturally we were disappointed, but this visit is a testimony that our relationship is moving on so many fronts forward. I don’t think one vote affects a general trend you can see in many other votes and these visits.” Netanyahu further added he hopes that his visit to India will strengthen cooperation between two countries in various fields like technology, agriculture and other spheres that are changing the world.
Netanyahu stated, “First of all, there is a special relationship between the two countries, between their people and then between the leaders. The partnership between India and Israel is a marriage made in heaven but consecrated on Earth.”
When asked about his agreement on counter terrorism with the Prime Minister of India, Netanyahu said the doctrine of counter terrorism included having the intelligence to prevent it. Netanyahu said, “You fight terrorism by fighting it.” Netanyahu further added, “Our defence relationship is quite significant and comprises many things. I think the key word here is defence. We want to defend ourselves, we are not aggressive nations. We are very committed to making sure that none can commit an aggression against the either one of us.”
Netanyahu said India’s importance in being a major auto dealer will be crucial for India and Israel to have a good tie up between car manufacturers.
India, along with 128 other countries supported the U.N. in its call for the withdrawal of the U.S.’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. After facing a huge defeat Trump said, “Let them vote against us. We don’t care. But this isn’t like it used to be where they could vote against you and then you pay them hundreds of millions of dollars.” Trump further added, “We’re not going to be taken advantage of any longer.”
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, “Such an attitude is unacceptable. This is bullying.” The United States came under strident criticism during the general assembly debate not only for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital for Israel but also for threatening the U.N. countries to not vote against the decision taken by the U.S.
