US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s closely contested parliamentary election scheduled for October 27. Trump praised Netanyahu as a “great warrior prime minister” and highlighted their partnership in launching military strikes against Iran earlier this year, describing Netanyahu as strong and resilient despite facing significant opposition, including from within Israel.
In a message posted on his social media platform, Trump addressed the “great people of Israel” and declared his “complete and total endorsement” of Netanyahu’s bid for re-election. The endorsement came just over a week before Israelis head to the polls in an election viewed as one of the most consequential in the country’s recent history. It will be the first national vote since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and sparked continued conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, and against Iran.
Netanyahu responded to the endorsement by thanking Trump publicly and sharing a video message aimed at Israeli voters, emphasizing the need for joint US-Israeli efforts to “finish the job” against Iran. The long-serving prime minister has been trailing in polls and faces significant criticism for security failures that led to the Hamas attack. Opposition parties argue that Netanyahu should be held accountable as the sitting prime minister at the time, while Netanyahu blames lapses among security officials who deny the claims.
Despite the endorsement, analysts suggest it may have limited influence on the election outcome. Several polls indicate a lack of clear frontrunner and project that Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party is unlikely to secure a governing majority. However, the fragmented opposition may also struggle to form a coalition, potentially resulting in Netanyahu continuing as caretaker prime minister until new elections can be organized.
Observers note that Israeli public support for Trump has declined amid disagreements over the Iran conflict and broader regional tensions. A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute showed a drop from 44% to 28% of Israelis who believe Trump prioritizes Israel’s security, indicating waning influence. Tamar Hermann, a senior fellow at the institute, suggested that Trump’s endorsement might reinforce Netanyahu’s base but is unlikely to sway undecided voters.
Trump has broken longstanding US tradition by endorsing foreign candidates, doing so previously in countries including Hungary, Colombia, and Japan. His relationship with Netanyahu, while historically close, has been marked by periods of friction, particularly over the Iran war. The ongoing conflict has stirred controversy both in Israel and the United States, where public support has diminished ahead of US congressional elections set for November 3.
Analysts believe Trump’s endorsement reflects a strategic choice to back a leader he views as strong and unjustly criticized, especially on the Iran issue. Some suggest that withholding endorsement earlier might have raised questions about the legitimacy of the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. With Israel facing significant strategic and political challenges, the October 27 election remains a pivotal moment that will shape the country’s leadership amid ongoing regional instability.