President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection Sunday, praising his leadership against Iran and warning that choosing another Israeli leader could leave the United States confronting Tehran alone.
The endorsement came nine days before Israel’s October 27 parliamentary elections.
“Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social statement addressed to the Israeli people.
Trump said Iran had been weakened militarily and financially, warning that unless its leaders changed course, “we will soon finish the job.”
“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 continued.
Trump praised Netanyahu’s resilience under pressure, including opposition within Israel. “Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel,” Trump wrote. “BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Netanyahu thanked Trump in an English-language video posted to X. “President Trump, my friend Donald - thank you for your extraordinary endorsement. Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran's regime get nuclear weapons. Thank you for your clarity, courage and unwavering support,” Netanyahu wrote in the accompanying message.
In the video, Netanyahu praised Trump’s resolve against Iran and thanked him for his leadership and friendship. He also addressed Americans concerned about gasoline prices, arguing that a nuclear-armed Iran would present a greater danger and predicting lower prices when the Iranian regime’s threat disappeared.
Trump subsequently explained that the timing of his endorsement was deliberate. According to The Jerusalem Post, he told local media that he had always intended to support Netanyahu but had waited to announce it.
Asked whether he could work with another Israeli prime minister, Trump said: “Maybe I can work with someone else, and maybe I won’t. Why take a chance?!”
A senior Israeli official told JNS that the partnership had produced unprecedented cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces, describing Trump and Netanyahu as an “epic tag team.”
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, responded by expressing respect for Trump while emphasizing that Israeli voters would decide the election, The Jerusalem Post reported. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the endorsement.
The New York Post reported that Netanyahu's Likud party trailed the Yashar party in polling from Maariv, Channel 12, Channel 13 and Kan News. Israelis vote for party lists in the 120-seat Knesset, with coalition negotiations determining who can form the next government.
The endorsement came nine days before Israel’s October 27 parliamentary elections.
“Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social statement addressed to the Israeli people.
Trump said Iran had been weakened militarily and financially, warning that unless its leaders changed course, “we will soon finish the job.”
“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 continued.
Trump praised Netanyahu’s resilience under pressure, including opposition within Israel. “Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel,” Trump wrote. “BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Netanyahu thanked Trump in an English-language video posted to X. “President Trump, my friend Donald - thank you for your extraordinary endorsement. Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran's regime get nuclear weapons. Thank you for your clarity, courage and unwavering support,” Netanyahu wrote in the accompanying message.
In the video, Netanyahu praised Trump’s resolve against Iran and thanked him for his leadership and friendship. He also addressed Americans concerned about gasoline prices, arguing that a nuclear-armed Iran would present a greater danger and predicting lower prices when the Iranian regime’s threat disappeared.
Trump subsequently explained that the timing of his endorsement was deliberate. According to The Jerusalem Post, he told local media that he had always intended to support Netanyahu but had waited to announce it.
Asked whether he could work with another Israeli prime minister, Trump said: “Maybe I can work with someone else, and maybe I won’t. Why take a chance?!”
A senior Israeli official told JNS that the partnership had produced unprecedented cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces, describing Trump and Netanyahu as an “epic tag team.”
Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, responded by expressing respect for Trump while emphasizing that Israeli voters would decide the election, The Jerusalem Post reported. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the endorsement.
The New York Post reported that Netanyahu's Likud party trailed the Yashar party in polling from Maariv, Channel 12, Channel 13 and Kan News. Israelis vote for party lists in the 120-seat Knesset, with coalition negotiations determining who can form the next government.
