Trump backs Netanyahu nine days before Israel votes
Donald Trump endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection ahead of Israel’s 27 October vote, after earlier avoiding a firm public commitment. Netanyahu thanked the US president and his party circulated a campaign video featuring the endorsement. The announcement put Trump’s support into the campaign as the two leaders continued to manage disagreements over the war with Iran.
Geopolitics··Night
Trump turns public hesitation into an endorsement
US President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 18 October, nine days before Israel's parliamentary election. His Truth Social message praised Netanyahu's leadership and his conduct in the war against Iran. The announcement made Trump's preference explicit after a period in which he had declined to give a firm answer about supporting the prime minister's bid to remain in office.[1], [2]
Time magazine had previously pressed Trump on the subject. He questioned whether Netanyahu needed his endorsement, referring to the Israeli leader's popularity and security issues. After Sunday's announcement, Trump told Axios that he had always intended to support Netanyahu but had wanted to avoid doing so too early. Israel's vote is scheduled for 27 October; US congressional midterm elections follow on 3 November.[1]
Netanyahu brings the message into his campaign
Netanyahu thanked Trump on X for his support and their joint work. Likud, the party Netanyahu leads, circulated a 35-second video bringing together images of the two men and Trump's praise. The prime minister also released a separate video in which he welcomed the endorsement and described Trump as Israel's greatest friend in the White House. These were Netanyahu's own characterizations of the relationship.[2]
The alliance has also carried disagreements over war
The leaders have met more than half a dozen times since Trump returned to office in January 2025, but their close alliance has included disputes. Trump expressed frustration in June over Israeli attacks in Lebanon and was reported to have urged restraint to preserve the April ceasefire with Iran. CBS/AP described uncertainty about the endorsement's electoral impact, alongside Israeli criticism of the Iran war's inconclusive outcome and Trump's ceasefire proposal. Netanyahu faces Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief leading the centrist Yashar party, among his principal challengers.[1], [2]
Trump's endorsement also included a renewed threat of action against Iran unless it changed its behaviour. He tied his willingness to undertake such action to Netanyahu remaining in office. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's government faces domestic criticism over security failures and international criticism over the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. CBS/AP described the prospective election as a tight contest.[2]
