‘Hogwash’ – Netanyahu denies American control over Israel

Vice President Vance tells Prime Minister Netanyahu the US wants Israel as an ally, not a vassal state.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took aim Wednesday at claims that Israel is a protectorate of the United States, under the control of Washington, and at conspiracy theories accusing Jerusalem of dominating the US.

Netanyahu and Vice President JD Vance held a joint press conference Wednesday in the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, following a meeting between the two leaders and their wives.

After Vance and Netanyahu delivered statements, the two fielded questions from reporters.

During the question-and-answer session, Netanyahu lashed out at suggestions that Israel is under the control of the United States, noting that Israel is also frequently accused of imposing its will on the US.

“I want to put it very clearly,” Netanyahu said. “One week they say that Israel controls the United States. A week later they say the United States controls Israel. This is hogwash.”

“We make the decisions for the security of Israel,” Netanyahu continued, adding that there are also broad areas of agreement between the two countries.

“But we make common decisions for the region, which I think can serve us both.”

Vance responded to Netanyahu’s comments by emphasizing that the Trump administration wants a “partnership” with Israel as an ally on equal footing.

“We don’t want a vassal state, and that’s not what Israel is. We don’t want a client state, and that’s not what Israel is. We want a partnership. We want an ally here.”

The vice president went on to say President Donald Trump hopes the US can delegate control of the region to Middle Eastern allies, including Israel.

“The president believes that Israel, with our Gulf Arab allies, can play a very positive leadership role in this region — to where, frankly, the United States can care less about the Middle East because our allies in the region are stepping up, and taking control and taking ownership of their area of the world.”