Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waited about 12 hours to congratulate Democrat Joe Biden on winning the US elections. "Congratulations Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Joe, we’ve had a long & warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel. I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the US and Israel,” tweeted Netanyahu.

Shortly after congratulating Biden, Netanyahu addressed President Donald Trump, tweeting, "Thank you Donald Trump for the friendship you have shown the state of Israel and me personally, for recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan, for standing up to Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights.”

Netanyahu’s congratulations came several hours after reactions by other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Canada’s Justin Trudeau. A delay that was well noted by Israeli and American media outlets. Israeli diplomatic analysts noted that the Biden administration is not likely to forget the delay.

At the weekly Cabinet meeting Nov. 8, Netanyahu reiterated his congratulations to Biden, noting, "I have a long and warm personal connection with Joe Biden for nearly 40 years, and I know him as a great friend of the State of Israel."