New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still waiting to receive a call from US President Joe Biden, who was sworn in three weeks ago. And people have started to talk about it.
Danny Danon, who previously served as Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations and is currently chairman of the global arm of Netanyahu’s World Likud party, said half in jest on Twitter Wednesday: “Might it now be time to call the leader of #Israel, the closest ally of the #US? The PM’s number is: 972-2-6705555.”
@POTUS Joe Biden, you have called world leaders from#Canada#Mexico#UK#India#France#Germany#Japan#Australia#SouthKorea#Russia
Might it now be time to call the leader of #Israel, the closest ally of the #US?
The PM's number is: 972-2-6705555 pic.twitter.com/OYgPvVga6F
— Ambassador Danny Danon | דני דנון (@dannydanon) February 10, 2021
Danon listed out the 10 countries, including Russia, whose heads of government had already received a call from the Oval Office.
American journalist Josh Marshall was quick to reply: “The call will come. But trolling the US President about it won’t help and suggests you’re still not getting the message.”
Yep, Danny. Glad you're seeing that Netanyahu making Israel an affiliate of the Republican party has been noticed and has consequences. The call will come. But trolling the US President about it won't help and suggests you're still not getting the message.
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) February 10, 2021
The Guardian also noted the radio silence from Biden in a report titled ‘Call me maybe? Disquiet in Israel that Biden has yet to phone Netanyahu’, published Wednesday.
With Biden taking office, reports have also emerged that ties between Israel and the US have turned cold. A report in The Times of Israel observed how President Biden didn’t mention Israel or other allies in a “major” foreign policy address on 4 February. “He touched on the Middle East in the context of the Yemen civil war and threats to Saudi Arabia, but that was it,” it noted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from Biden on 8 February, during which the two leaders spoke about common strategic interests, the future of Indo-Pacific and the global fight against climate change.
Also read: Imran Khan’s Pakistan wants to call. But Modi’s status is, ‘Can’t talk, WhatsApp only’
‘Not a good look’
Many users, meanwhile, have come up with imaginative responses to Danon’s tweet.
American journalist Reena Ninan remarked: “Not a good look for Israel when you have to resort to social media to shame the President of the United States to call you.”
Not a good look for Israel when you have to resort to social media to shame the President of the United States to call you. @JoeBiden https://t.co/gdwuoiyQIe
— ReenaNinan (@reenaninan) February 11, 2021
Australian tennis player Rennae Stubbs posted: “I hope everyone calls that number”.
How embarrassing! And ps i hope everyone calls that number
— Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) February 11, 2021
Jewish advocate Ariel Gold, who leads an international anti-war NGO, asked people to record a message of what they want “Biden to say to Bibi (Netahyahu) when he finally calls.”
President Biden has called Canada Mexico UK India France Germany Japan Australia S. Korea Russia China, but Netanyahu is still anxiously waiting by the phone☎️
Record a message?of what you want Biden to say to Bibi when he finally calls. https://t.co/BrRWMOuyJB via @CODEPINK pic.twitter.com/iir5Zq2fqq
— Ariel Gold אריאל ? ☮️?✡️ (@ArielElyseGold) February 11, 2021
Four persons have submitted their recordings, according to an online signup sheet provided by Code Pink.
Meanwhile, Canadian journalist Mark MacKinnon suggested this may have something to do with the fact that Netanyahu had until 11 January kept a photo of himself with Trump as the banner image on his official Twitter account.
Concern in Israel that President Biden has yet to call Bibi. This could be why: “Netanyahu kept a photo of himself with Trump as the banner picture on his official Twitter account as late as Jan. 11, five days after the insurrection by Trump supporters.” https://t.co/Eyrp8md1pa
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) February 11, 2021
Also read: How Biden can break from Trump and Obama on Iran