Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Without Jews, the United States Would Not Exist Today"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again made a controversial historical claim, asserting that the United States would not exist today without the role of Jews in history. Speaking in occupied East Jerusalem, Netanyahu placed Jewish history at the center of the modern global order, stating, 'Without Jews, the United States would not exist today.'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again made a controversial historical claim, asserting that the United States would not exist today without the role of Jews in history. Speaking in occupied East Jerusalem, Netanyahu placed Jewish history at the center of the modern global order, stating, “Without Jews, the United States would not exist today.”
Netanyahu made the remarks during a Hanukkah ceremony held near the Western Wall area in East Jerusalem. His comments were later circulated in an official statement by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
The event was attended by Netanyahu’s wife Sara Netanyahu, several Israeli soldiers, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. In his speech, Netanyahu referenced the ancient Maccabean revolt, presenting it as a foundational moment not only for Jewish history but also for what he described as “Judeo-Christian civilization,” which he claimed ultimately gave rise to the United States.
Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabees’ revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the second century BCE. Netanyahu has repeatedly invoked this episode to construct a political narrative linking ancient religious struggles to contemporary Western states and modern Israeli military actions.
In previous statements, Netanyahu has compared today’s Israeli forces to the Maccabees, portraying current military campaigns—particularly the war in Gaza—as a continuation of an ancient historical mission.
His latest comments come amid ongoing rejection by Israel of United Nations resolutions recognizing the Western Wall area as part of occupied Palestinian territory. Netanyahu has repeatedly dismissed international rulings, claiming Palestinians have no historical connection to the site.
As of now, no official response has been issued by the United States regarding Netanyahu’s remarks, despite Washington remaining Israel’s closest political and military ally. Throughout the Gaza conflict, the U.S. has continued to provide Israel with military, intelligence, and diplomatic support.
Palestinian groups have condemned Netanyahu’s visits and statements in East Jerusalem, describing them as attempts to impose sovereignty through religious symbolism and to entrench the occupation.
Under international law, East Jerusalem remains classified as occupied territory. Nevertheless, Netanyahu and his government continue to openly reject the two-state solution and oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, defying long-standing international consensus.