Trump Endorses Netanyahu as 'Great Warrior' Ahead of Israeli Elections

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a "complete and total" endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's parliamentary elections on October 27.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Netanyahu as a "Great Warrior Prime Minister" and a "partner for peace" amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Trump stated that the United States would have to handle the war against Iran alone if Netanyahu were not re-elected, remarking that he is not inclined to do so. The endorsement, reported by multiple outlets including Fox News and Deutsche Welle on Sunday, characterizes Netanyahu as a leader who has thrived under pressure.

Netanyahu responded to the endorsement on X, thanking Trump for his "tremendous support" and stating that the two would "complete the mission" together. According to CBS News, the Likud party released a video featuring the two leaders, in which Netanyahu asserted that there has never been a greater friend of Israel in the White House. He also claimed that cooperation between the two would eventually lead to lower gas prices by addressing the Iranian regime.

The endorsement arrives as polls suggest a tight race for the 120-seat Knesset, with neither Netanyahu nor the opposition currently guaranteed the 61 seats needed for a coalition. France 24 noted that the impact on voters is uncertain, as some Israelis have expressed disappointment with Trump's ceasefire proposal and the outcome of the war with Iran. Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s main challenger, responded by saying that only the Israeli public decides their next leader, though he acknowledged Trump's past contributions to national security.

The election is widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu, who is the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history. While Fox News highlighted his role in combating Iran's nuclear aspirations, Deutsche Welle reported that much of Israeli society remains divided over his coalition's failure to prevent the October 7, 2023, attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reacted to the news by warning that Netanyahu was driving the United States into another war.

Background

The war between Israel, the U.S., and Iran began in February and led to Tehran blocking global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu’s current far-right government has faced significant domestic and international criticism following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas that killed approximately 1,200 people.