JERUSALEM (JTA) — President Donald Trump congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his 70th birthday in a letter on official White House stationary.
The president hand wrote in black marker on the letter dated Oct. 21, Netanyahu’s birthday, “You are great!”
Netanyahu posted a photo of the letter on Twitter, writing both in Hebrew and English: “Thank you to my friend President Trump for your warm words on my birthday. Our alliance and friendship have never been stronger.”
“There has never been a more productive time in the Israeli-American partnership, and I know there are many more victories to come,” Trump wrote in the letter. “Thank you for your strong leadership and loyal friendship. You are one of my closest allies and I look forward to the continued success we will have working together.”
The letter was sent the same day that Netanyahu announced he was unable to form a government coalition and returned the mandate to form a government to President Reuven Rivlin, who said he would pass it on to Blue and White head Benny Gantz. It will be the first time in more than a decade that someone other than Netanyahu will attempt to form a government.
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