US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, declaring that Washington could be left to confront Iran without Israel’s support if Netanyahu loses power.
Trump made the declaration in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, nine days before the election. He praised Netanyahu’s leadership and described him as a key partner in efforts to counter Iran’s influence and security threats.
The endorsement marked a change in Trump’s position after he declined to support any candidate during a Newsmax interview on Thursday.
In his statement, Trump described Netanyahu as a strong leader who had demonstrated resilience amid mounting pressure and the challenges Israel has faced since the October 7, 2023, attacks.
He also credited the Israeli prime minister with contributing to efforts to advance peace and strengthen cooperation between the two countries, while accusing Iran of maintaining an aggressive stance towards Israel and the United States.
Trump warned that if Netanyahu were replaced by another leader, the US might have to handle the confrontation with Iran without the same level of Israeli cooperation.
The American president concluded his message by expressing full support for Netanyahu’s bid for another term, describing him as the kind of partner Washington expects from Israel.
However, reports indicated that some of Trump’s close advisers and allies had opposed a public endorsement of Netanyahu. Two sources familiar with the discussions told The Jerusalem Post that there had been opposition within the president’s circle. The possible influence of pollster John McLaughlin, who works with both Trump and Netanyahu, was also highlighted.
Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s declaration, thanking the US president for his support and cooperation in a post on his official X account. He also shared a Hebrew translation of Trump’s statement, alongside a screenshot featuring the Israeli and American flags.
Meanwhile, Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party and a potential challenger to Netanyahu, said he respected Trump but maintained that Israel’s citizens should determine the outcome of their election.
Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Eisenkot insisted that the decision rested with Israeli voters.
Other Israeli political leaders, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defence Minister Israel Katz, welcomed Trump’s endorsement.
Smotrich described Trump as one of Israel’s strongest international allies, praising the cooperation between the two countries and crediting Netanyahu’s leadership for contributing to their achievements.
Although he acknowledged that Israeli voters would ultimately determine the election outcome, Smotrich argued that the American president’s position deserved consideration.
He also called for continued right-wing leadership and stronger cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem to safeguard Israel’s future security.
Katz similarly praised Trump’s statement, saying it reflected the American president’s confidence in Netanyahu’s leadership and the importance of maintaining close security ties between the two countries.
According to Katz, continued cooperation between Netanyahu and Trump, as well as between the Israeli and American militaries, would be crucial to addressing outstanding objectives in the campaign against Iran.