Trump Endorses Netanyahu Before Israel’s October Election
President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, nine days before Israel’s October 27 election. In a Truth Social post, Trump praised Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict with Iran and warned that a different Israeli leader would leave the United States to handle the issue. Netanyahu thanked Trump and said they would finish the mission together.
Trump's endorsement came nine days before Israeli voters cast ballots on Oct 27. It was posted on Truth Social, where he called Netanyahu a strong wartime leader and argued Iran's military and financial power had been weakened. He cautioned that another Israeli leader would leave Washington to handle the issue, saying he was not inclined to do so.
Netanyahu responded on X, thanking Trump and expressing readiness to continue their shared effort. Recent polls show a close contest: one survey had Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar ahead of Likud 26 to 20, with neither bloc reaching 61 Knesset seats. Another Channel 13 poll had Netanyahu's bloc narrowly ahead 51 to 50. This is Israel's first election since Oct 7, 2023.
The endorsement may influence some Israeli voters in a tight race, though its effect remains uncertain. It could also shape post-election coalition talks by signaling U.S. alignment with Netanyahu, potentially affecting Israeli security policy and U.S.-Israel relations. Palestinians and other regional actors may watch whether the vote changes the direction of the conflict. Israeli voters, parties, and communities are most directly affected, while Washington’s role in the region could shift depending on the outcome.