Congratulating Trump, Netanyahu predicts ‘best days’ of Israel-US relations ahead

Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel

A billboard congratulating US President-elect Donald Trump in Jerusalem on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025. (AP Photo/ Ohad Zwigenberg)
A billboard congratulating US President-elect Donald Trump in Jerusalem on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025. (AP Photo/ Ohad Zwigenberg)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offers his congratulations to US President Donald Trump upon his inauguration and says he believes the “best days” of the US-Israel alliance are ahead.

“Your first term as president was filled with groundbreaking moments in the history of the great alliance between our two countries,” Netanyahu says in an English-language video message, citing Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights.

“You brokered the historic Abraham Accords in which Israel made peace with four Arab countries,” he adds. “I believe that working together again, we will raise the US-Israel alliance to even greater heights” and will “complete the defeat of Iran’s terror axis and usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for our region.”

Netanyahu also thanks Trump for his role in pushing for a ceasefire-hostage release deal in Gaza, which went into effect yesterday, as the first three hostages were freed last night.

“I look forward to working with you to return the remaining hostages, to destroy Hamas’s military capabilities and end its political rule in Gaza, and to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” the prime minister adds. “I am sure, Mr. President, that under your leadership, the best days of our alliance are yet to come.”

President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also sent congratulatory messages to Trump upon him entering his second term in office.

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