Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Israel’s prime minister has removed a photo of himself and US President Donald Trump from his Twitter account in favour of a Hanukkah-themed image.
Previously, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Twitter profile banner picture featured him sitting next to Mr Trump during a meeting at the White House.
The image underscored the importance of Israel’s relationship with the US, as well as Mr Netanyahu’s cosy relationship with the outgoing American president.
The quiet swap in photo was first spotted by Jacob Kornbluh, national politics reporter for New-York-based newspaper, the Jewish Insider.
He posted a side-by-side comparison of Mr Netanyahu’s profile over the weekend, when many Jewish people celebrated Hanukkah, prompting many to speculate that it may be a temporary change in aesthetics for the religious holiday.
It remains to be seen if the Israeli prime minister will switch back to a photo of him and Mr Trump as he seeks to secure last-minute policy deals from the president before 20 January – when president-elect Joe Biden will be sworn into the White House.
Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump are reportedly in discussions over a new round of sanctions on Iran, with the former concerned over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
According to Foreign Policy, the Trump administration could also help Israel broker a new diplomatic deal with Saudi Arabia, who in November condemned an Israeli decision to build new illegal settlement units in East Jerusalem.
East Jerusalem, along with the West Bank and Gaza Strip, are Palestinian territories that Israel has occupied since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
However, there are some signs that Mr Trump’s relationship with Mr Netanyahu is turning a corner, most notably in October, when the president’s attempt to secure an election endorsement from “Bibi” backfired during a photo op.
During the signing of a peace deal between Israel and Sudan, brokered by the US, Mr Trump asked Mr Netanyahu on speakerphone is “Sleepy Joe” could have secured the deal.
“Do you think ‘Sleepy Joe’ could have made this deal, Bibi? Sleepy Joe? Do you think he would have made this deal? Somehow, I don’t think so,” asked the president.
But Mr Netanyahu took a cautious, diplomatic approach, replying: “Uh, well, Mr President, one thing I can tell you is that we appreciate the help for peace from anyone in America. And we appreciate what you have done enormously.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments