JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday described his recent visit to the United States as “excellent” and highlighted private remarks from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praising Israel’s unique combination of military will and capability.

“I have just finished a conversation here with the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth,” Netanyahu said. “He told me something interesting. He said to me, ‘We look at the world, and there are countries that have the will to fight alongside the United States, but they lack the capability. And there are countries that have the capability, but lack the will.’ He said, ‘Only in Israel do we see both the will and the capability.’”

Netanyahu said the visit underscored strong support for Israel in the United States despite public criticism.

“My visit to the United States was excellent,” he said. “You constantly hear about the waves of hatred against Israel in the United States, but you are probably not told about the waves of love and appreciation.”

The remarks came as Netanyahu continued to emphasize the depth of the U.S.-Israel security relationship following his meetings in Washington.