Trump endorses Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s 27 October election

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump gave Netanyahu his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and praised him as a partner in confronting Iran. He also argued that, with any other Israeli leader, the United States would have to do that work itself — something he said he was “not inclined” to do. The remark expressed Trump’s preference; it was not an announcement of a change in US policy. [1]

The endorsement comes after months in which Trump had stopped short of backing Netanyahu. Asked repeatedly in a TIME interview on 28 September whether the prime minister should have another term, he did not give a direct answer. Trump told Axios on Sunday that he had always intended to endorse Netanyahu but had not wanted to do so too soon. [3] [4]

Netanyahu thanked Trump in a statement posted on X, according to the Associated Press. His rival Gadi Eisenkot told Israel’s Channel 12 that the election was for Israelis to decide, Axios reported. [5] [4]

Whether Trump’s intervention helps Netanyahu win another term remains uncertain. Axios reported that most polls showed Netanyahu’s coalition falling short of the 61 parliamentary seats needed to form a government. Israelis vote for a parliament, not directly for a prime minister; the result and subsequent coalition negotiations will determine who can govern. [4] [6]