Trump endorses Netanyahu in Israeli legislative elections

SaveSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US President Donald Trump on July 28 in Washington, DC, the United States [File: AFP handout]By Al Jazeera StaffPublished On 18 Oct 202618 Oct 2026United States President Donald Trump has issued an endorsement of Israel’s incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a close race in parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27.In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump praised the Israeli leader for being an ally of the US in its war on Iran. He added that he was giving his “Complete and Total Endorsement” to Netanyahu.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3In Israel, Netanyahu’s ultimate legacy is the opposition he has forgedlist 2 of 3The Israeli politicians seeking to replace Netanyahulist 3 of 3Despite long history with Netanyahu, Trump hedges as Israel vote nearsend of list“BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” Trump wrote.The US president’s backing comes nine days before the Israeli election — and after speculation that it might not come at all.Trump had refused to endorse Netanyahu earlier this month, when asked repeatedly about the Israeli leader’s job performance in an interview with Time magazine.Instead, when pressed by his interviewer, Trump avoided the subject, shifting the focus instead to his own popularity or security in the Middle East.The two leaders have met more than a half dozen times since January 2025, but there have been reports of disagreements, including over the war against Iran and other conflicts.In June, Trump acknowledged calling Netanyahu “f***ing crazy” in a phone conversation where he expressed frustration about Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.Trump had reportedly asked Netanyahu not to take further action in Lebanon, in an apparent attempt to preserve a short-lived April ceasefire with Iran.The two leaders had jointly launched a war against Iran on February 28, but the conflict has cost Trump domestic support.The war has upended the global oil and gas supply, with no clear end in sight.A Pew Research Center poll found this month that roughly two-thirds of US voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the war, which has driven up consumer fuel prices and raised concerns about draining military stockpiles.Trump’s Republican Party is facing a critical midterm election on November 3 that will decide whether it maintains control of the US Congress, as well as other key state and local offices.Experts have speculated that Trump’s prior reticence to endorse Netanyahu may have come from public perception that Israel may have coaxed the US into the war.Netanyahu’s Likud Party and its far-right coalition are also facing the prospect of losing the October contest to an opposition bloc led by Yashar party head Gadi Eisenkot.In his endorsement on Sunday, Trump said it was only a matter of time before Iran would have attacked both the US and Israel.The war, Trump argued, had already left Iran “systematically destroyed, both Militarily and Financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job”.“If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so,” Trump wrote.“Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself.”