TRUMP ENDORSES NETANYAHU AHEAD OF ISRAELI ELECTION

US President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 18 October ahead of Israel’s national election on 27 October. In a Truth Social post, Trump called Netanyahu a “great warrior” and urged voters to return him to office. He described Netanyahu as a key ally in confronting Iran, which he called a shared threat to the United States and Israel. Trump also called Netanyahu “Strong, Brave, and Brilliant” in the face of political opposition. Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support and their joint work in a post on X.

Trump claimed Iran had been “systematically destroyed” militarily and financially. He warned that the United States could “finish the job” unless Iran changed course rapidly. Trump wrote: “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.” He said Netanyahu had grown stronger under political pressure rather than “wilted”.

The vote will be Israel’s first national election since Hamas’s attack on 7 October 2023. That attack triggered the war in Gaza. Polls have suggested no candidate has a clear path to power. Israeli public support for Trump has reportedly diminished amid disagreements between Israel and the United States over Iran. Netanyahu and his Likud party will seek to remain in power at the election.