US President Donald Trump has said Israel would not have survived without decades of American support, declaring that the country “would have been terminated” years ago if Washington had not stood firmly behind it.
Trump made the remarks as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington for high-level talks expected to focus on the war in Gaza, regional security, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Trump underscored what he described as the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel, arguing that American military, financial and diplomatic assistance had been critical to the country’s survival over the years.
“Without the United States, Israel would have been terminated a long time ago,” Trump said, reiterating his long-held position that Washington has been Israel’s strongest ally.
The comments come at a time of heightened tensions across the Middle East, with international pressure mounting over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and growing concerns about the risk of a wider regional conflict.
Netanyahu’s visit is expected to include discussions on strengthening security cooperation, addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and exploring diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring stability in the region.
Trump’s remarks are likely to spark fresh debate over the scale of US support for Israel, an issue that has increasingly divided opinion both within the United States and among its international allies.
