Israel tightening alliances with allies: PM Netanyahu

Jerusalem: Describing India as a “gigantic power”, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel is “tightening alliances” with its allies, as he mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jerusalem next week.

Prime Minister Modi is expected to arrive in Israel on February 25 on a two-day visit during which he is likely to address the Knesset (parliament) and meet Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.

Netanyahu made the comments while addressing the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Cadets’ Graduation Ceremony in Bahad 1 (IDF Officers School), about 190 kms south of Jerusalem, on Thursday.

After describing valiant efforts by the Israeli army over the years, Netanyahu said how the country goes out and takes “pre-emptive measures” against the evil, and, therefore, will act time and again “to neutralise the risks in the area, as necessary.”

“We will also act to tighten alliances with our allies. Next week, the Prime Minister of India will visit the country – a gigantic power,” Netanyahu said.

“And of course, you know that a few days ago I returned from another diplomatic visit, the seventh in number since the election of President (Donald) Trump to a second term, where I met with the greatest friend of the State of Israel – US President Trump,” he added.

“In the American security doctrine published recently, Israel is

the only country in the world that the US defines as ‘the model ally’,” he asserted.

On Sunday, Netanyahu broke the news of Modi’s visit while addressing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations.