Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignited controversy after remarks circulating online in which he appeared to suggest the United States would not exist without Jews, language critics say implies outsized Jewish ownership of America's founding.
In the video, Netanyahu referred to 'five brothers' fighting 'barbarians' while discussing Israel's defence against the Oct. 7 attacks carried out by Hamas militants. His reference to the US appears intended as a rhetorical appeal to shared Judeo-Christian values and to underline American support for Israel, rather than to claim Jews founded the country. Critics, however, described the wording as boastful and threatening.
