Florida [US], January 2 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday thanked US President Donald Trump for hosting him on the New Year.

Netanyahu wished for the alliance between the nations to grow stronger.

In a post on X, Netanyahu said, 'Grateful to US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for inviting us to a memorable New Year's evening. May our alliance grow even stronger.'

https://x.com/netanyahu/status/2006798028691390768?s=20

Trump held a New Year's bash at his Florida resort on Thursday, and when he was quizzed about his wish for the New Year, he said he wanted peace on Earth, reported Fox News.

The gala was attended by, among other guests, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara.

In his address to the gala, the US President praised his government and claimed that the US was back and strong.

'We're taking in hundreds of millions of dollars in tariffs,' the President said. 'We're doing great as a country. We're back. We're strong. I didn't think it could happen this fast. It's happening faster than anybody thought possible.'

Trump then acted as the auctioneer for a painting of Jesus Christ's face by artist Vanessa Horabuena. Trump said proceeds would go to St. Jude Children's Hospital and a sheriff's department. The painting sold for USD 2.75 million.

Earlier, in what will come as good news in the New Year, Trump announced that the National Guard will be withdrawn from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, claiming that their presence had helped reduce crime in these cities.

He also suggested that federal forces could return in the future if crime rises again.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, 'We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact. Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren't for the Federal Government stepping in. We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time.' (ANI)