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Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Economic Forum
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World leaders praise Donald Trump on return to White House

World leaders including the Israeli prime minister have congratulated Donald Trump after his victory in the 2024 US election on Wednesday morning.

Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Republican on his “historic” return to the presidency and emphasised the alliance between Israel and the United States.

He wrote on X: “Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!

“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”

The Democratic candidate, Vice-President Kamala Harris, had been criticised for the government’s apparent failure to broker a ceasefire in Gaza as the conflict escalates across the region.

The president-elect has promised to bring about an end to the conflict upon assuming office in January.

Trump said: “I’m not going to start wars, I’m going to stop wars.”

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasised the partnership between the two countries.

He wrote on X: “I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs.

“This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.”

Ukraine has so far received economic and military packages from the United States, Britain and other western nations but Trump has previously threatened to pull the US out of the NATO military alliance.

Mark Rutte, who became the secretary general of NATO last month and is a former Dutch prime minister, wrote on X that he welcomed the president-elect.

“His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong,” he said. “I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO.”

Many European leaders emphasised the importance of continued strong economic relations with America.

French President, Emmanuel Macron, wrote on X: “Congratulations President Donald Trump. Ready to work together as we have done for four years.

“With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”

Macron met the American president in 2018 and said: “They’re all saying what a great relationship we have, and they’re actually correct.”

The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, wrote on X: “For a long time, Germany and the US have been working together successfully promoting prosperity and freedom on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU governing body the European Commission, highlighted the economic importance of continuing the transatlantic partnership.

She said: “I look forward to working with President Trump again to advance a strong transatlantic agenda.

“Millions of jobs and billions in trade and investment on each side of the Atlantic depend on the dynamism and stability of our economic relationship.”

While the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán described the news as a “much-needed victory for the world”.

Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, who met the former president twice in America and once in India during Trump’s term in office, wrote on X: “Heartiest congratulations my friend.

“As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration.”

There has so far been no comment from the Canadian prime minister or the president of Brazil.

You can read about the reaction of UK-based politicians to Trump’s election here.

Featured image credit: World Economic Forum via Flickr under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 licence

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