Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that a future US president could be hostile towards Israel, urging the country to build new alliances with nations such as India and countries in Latin America to strengthen its global position.
Netanyahu outlined his security doctrine at an event on Sunday, nine days before Israel's October 27 election. His remarks came hours before US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed his re-election bid.
"In two years, a President, man or woman, could come to power who is very hostile to Israel," Netanyahu said.
"How would you deal with that? How would you operate in relation to the United States? And beyond that, what solutions would be necessary?", he questioned.
Netanyahu stressed that Israel must use the remaining years of Trump's presidency to consolidate its position in the United States while preparing for a potential shift in American policy.
"First, we must do everything we can during these two years, and during the following two years, in the American arena, through good times and bad," he said.
"The second thing is to create other alliances. That is what I am working on now with many countries in our region and outside it. India is not a small country, and there are many others," the Israeli Prime Minister emphasised.
He also cited political developments in Latin America as an opportunity to broaden Israel's diplomatic partnerships.
"There is a major shift in Latin America, and there could be an enormous change in Brazil in just a few days," Netanyahu pointed out, adding, "We must expand our pool of alliances and develop capabilities that make us valuable to everyone."
Netanyahu has frequently cited India's ties with Israel and his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to counter the perception that Israel is diplomatically isolated and to highlight his government's foreign policy achievements.
In May this year, amid a prolonged war and challenges over Israel's international legitimacy, Netanyahu described the country's ties with India as a "unique relationship" with "huge power" India, where there is "crazy love" for Israel.
Many analysts in Israel believe growing apathy among Democrats in the United States stems from Netanyahu's political choices over the years. His relations with Democratic Party presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden were often tense.
According to the analysts, Netanyahu presented these tensions to his supporters as evidence of a strong leader willing to stand up to American presidents to protect Israel's interests. They said this approach has been a cornerstone of his election campaigns and a recipe for electoral success. Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister.
However, Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's main challenger in the upcoming election, sharply criticised the presentation of the security doctrine, calling it an empty political exercise rather than a serious national security strategy.
"Nine days before the election and three years after the gravest failure and disaster in Israel's history, with every war front still open, Netanyahu decided to present his 'security doctrine' to the public," Eisenkot said.
"Two hollow pages, full of slogans that have nothing whatsoever to do with a security doctrine, reveal more than anything the strategic vacuum Netanyahu has left the State of Israel in and his disregard for the security of Israeli citizens," he asserted.
Eisenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces, accused Netanyahu of trying to manipulate public opinion and spread fear ahead of the election.
"This is Netanyahu's method: manipulating perceptions, frightening people and trying to divert attention from the parade of lies and racism surrounding his campaign tonight," he said.