Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Rudy Giuliani at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem on Jan. 26, 2017. Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO.

JNS.org – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Thursday with Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and current adviser to President Donald Trump.

Giuliani, who will work on cybersecurity matters for the Trump administration and was part of its transition team, told Fox News ahead of his visit to Israel that he will be relaying a private message from the president to Netanyahu.

“I can give the general message, which is ‘I like you very much and we’re very good friends,’” Giuliani told the Fox & Friends morning show Monday. “[Trump and Netanyahu] were friends even before. This is not a new relationship, but now obviously, it’s a much more important one.”

On Sunday, Netanyahu spoke with Trump for the first time since his inauguration, with both leaders describing the call positively and announcing plans for the Israeli prime minister to visit DC in February.

“After eight years in which I withstood enormous pressure on various issues, primarily Iran and the settlements, I certainly welcome the change of approach,” Netanyahu said.