United States President, Donald Trump, has publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 27 general election, expressing confidence in his leadership and calling for his re-election.
Trump announced his support in a letter to the Israeli people published on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, October 18, describing Netanyahu as an important partner in the conflict with Iran.
Netanyahu “was a great wartime prime minister” and “a great partner in fighting Iran, which for 51 years has chanted ‘Death to Israel, Death to America,'” Trump wrote.
He added, “He was tough, brave and brilliant, despite tremendous opposition even within Israel. That is the kind of partner the United States wants in Israel. I hope this letter conveys my complete support for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s re-election in the upcoming Israeli election.”
The endorsement comes nine days before Israelis head to the polls and marks Trump’s first public declaration of support for Netanyahu ahead of the election.
The two leaders have experienced disagreements over the wars involving Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. In June, Trump reportedly described Netanyahu as “crazy”, highlighting previous tensions between the allies.
However, Trump told the US online news outlet Axios that he had always intended to endorse Netanyahu but wanted to avoid doing so prematurely.
“I have a good relationship with Netanyahu. I support him because if he wins re-election, we will continue to cooperate well,” he said.
The October 27 election will be Israel’s first general election since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, which triggered the subsequent war between Israel and Hamas.
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has 120 seats, and a political bloc needs at least 61 seats to secure a parliamentary majority and form a government.
Current opinion polls suggest that neither the pro-Netanyahu nor the anti-Netanyahu camp is on course to win a clear majority, with both blocs projected to secure seats in the low 50s.
If the election produces another political deadlock, Netanyahu could remain caretaker prime minister until another election, according to Reuters.
Trump’s Endorsement and Possible Iran Strikes
Trump’s public backing of Netanyahu has also drawn attention because of the possibility of renewed US military action against Iran after the American midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
Some analysts believe the US president may prefer to work with Netanyahu rather than a new Israeli government as Washington considers its next steps regarding Tehran.
In his Truth Social post, Trump warned that further action could follow if Iran failed to change its position.
“unless Iran changes its attitude quickly, we will finish the job,” he wrote.
Trump also argued that Netanyahu’s continued leadership would be important to the US-Israel partnership.
“if Israel had the wrong leader instead of Bibi, the United States would have to do this itself, and I don’t want to do that,” he added, using Netanyahu’s nickname.
Despite Trump’s endorsement, questions remain over whether his intervention will significantly influence the Israeli election.
The New York Times reported that Trump’s support “will not carry the influence it once did,” noting that many Israelis increasingly regard the US president as unpredictable.
Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s backing in a post on X, formerly Twitter, expressing appreciation for the American leader’s support.
“I am grateful to President Trump for his tremendous support and partnership,” Netanyahu wrote, adding, “Together we will finish the job.”
