President Donald Trump has voiced his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is battling in a close re-election race. Trump, known for his popularity in Israel, announced his endorsement through social media. The American leader called Netanyahu a ‘Great Warrior Prime Minister’ and praised his efforts in opposing Iran.
The endorsement comes just before the Israeli elections set for October 27. This marks the first national vote since the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Prior to the endorsement, Netanyahu faced difficulties, having emphasized his strong relationship with Trump as a core reason for maintaining his leadership. The absence of Trump’s endorsement had been viewed as a challenge for Netanyahu and his Likud Party.
Thank you, President Trump, for the tremendous support and work together. Together we will complete the mission!
These were Netanyahu’s words in a statement shared in Hebrew on social media. The Likud Party followed up with a short video of Trump’s previous praises for Netanyahu. Despite the backing, the impact of Trump’s support on the election remains uncertain, as the election is expected to be highly competitive.
Trump’s popularity in Israel remains high, but some Israelis, especially commentators, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the incomplete resolution of the Iran conflict. Many were discontent with Trump’s ceasefire proposal, which failed to meet several of the countries’ primary objectives following the war that started in February.
In his social media post, Trump threatened to ‘finish the job’ against Iran if they do not change rapidly. He also mentioned that should Netanyahu lose, the responsibility might fall on the U.S., a task he seemed reluctant to undertake if another leader replaced Netanyahu.
Trump recognized Netanyahu as ‘Strong, Brave, and Brilliant’ amid significant opposition, including from within Israel. This endorsement is not the first. Trump offered similar support in past Israeli elections and had previously reached out to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging a pardon for Netanyahu’s corruption charges.
Leading up to the election, Trump’s remarks about Netanyahu had become more reserved. In a recent Time magazine interview, Trump refrained from commenting directly on whether he would back the Israeli leader, noting that he was ‘not involved in politics anymore.’ This stance contrasted with his ongoing endorsements in U.S. politics.
Trump has shown an interest in influencing foreign elections, endorsing figures like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Polish President Karol Nawrocki. Although these efforts did not always yield successful results, they indicate Trump’s intent to exert influence globally.
Trump and Netanyahu have maintained a close alliance, particularly after their joint operations against Iran’s nuclear sites in 2025. Nonetheless, tensions emerged during the protracted eight-month war with Iran. Trump criticized Israel’s attack on an Iranian gas field and expressed irritation over the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which impeded peace efforts with Iran.
Additionally, in August, Netanyahu dismissed Trump’s proposed plan for a ceasefire in Gaza. The proposal involved U.S. calls for Israel to withdraw from Gaza territories until Hamas disarmed, a move Netanyahu did not support.