Trump Backs Netanyahu Ahead of Israel’s Election

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election, offering public support as the veteran leader seeks another term.

Netanyahu welcomed the endorsement, saying his close relationship with Trump had helped their countries confront Iran. He added that re-election would allow him to work with the US president to address what he described as the Iranian threat.

The election will be Israel’s first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. Opposition politicians have accused Netanyahu of bearing personal responsibility for the attack, alleging that warnings about the threat were ignored.

Trump and Netanyahu have worked closely together during Israel’s military campaigns following the attack, including operations against Iran.

Trump’s endorsement comes as Netanyahu faces a closely contested election, according to opinion polls cited in the report.

In a message published on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump praised Netanyahu’s leadership and resilience despite opposition within Israel and abroad. He urged Israeli voters to return the prime minister to office, describing him as a partner the United States wants to work with.

“Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel itself,” Trump said. 

“This is the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much. 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.”

Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying their joint efforts had produced significant results and that further work remained.

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.

@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/GqaOVB74Dj

— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 18, 2026

Addressing voters, Netanyahu also urged them to consider Trump’s remarks, arguing that the two leaders had achieved important objectives but still had tasks to complete.

“Thank you, President Trump, for your tremendous support and for our work together. Together we will complete the mission!” he wrote on X.

“I ask you to listen carefully to what President Trump said this evening,” Netanyahu told voters. “He said that together we have accomplished extraordinary things… But there is still a mission to complete.”

Trump joined Israel in an attack on Iran in late February before agreeing to a ceasefire in April, following widespread opposition to the war in the United States and a sharp rise in oil prices.

Netanyahu has repeatedly described Trump as a close ally. However, the two leaders have differed over how to approach Iran, with Netanyahu rejecting the prospect of a diplomatic agreement with Tehran’s leadership while Trump pursued a negotiated end to the conflict.

Trump’s endorsement came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern over rising tensions in the occupied West Bank following an attack by Israeli settlers that injured an American photojournalist working for The Washington Post.

Rubio said on Saturday that Washington was disturbed by images of the incident.

Netanyahu’s office said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Netanyahu, 77 on October 21, is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, having held office for more than 19 years across several terms.

He returned to power in December 2022 with a coalition that included far-right and ultra-nationalist parties. His government subsequently pursued changes to the judiciary, while Netanyahu continued to face corruption charges that could carry a prison sentence if he is convicted.

His main election challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief who leads the centre-right Yashar party. Eisenkot has repeatedly blamed Netanyahu for the failures surrounding the October 7 attack.

About seven million Israelis are eligible to vote in the parliamentary election. Polls cited in the report indicate that neither Netanyahu’s bloc nor the opposition grouping led by Eisenkot has secured a clear path to the 61 seats needed to control the 120-member parliament and form a government.

Eisenkot said the decision rested with Israeli voters, despite his admiration for Trump.

Speaking at a conference in Tel Aviv, he stressed that Israel’s democratic system meant its citizens alone could choose their leaders.

Trump, however, warned that electing a candidate other than Netanyahu could leave Washington to handle issues he believed the Israeli leader should address.

On Sunday, Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also backed Netanyahu, arguing that he was the only person capable of serving as prime minister.