WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nine days before Israel's general election.
In a letter to the Israeli people posted on Truth Social on the 18th, Trump said Netanyahu had been a great warrior prime minister and a great partner in confronting Iran, which he said had spent 51 years calling for the destruction of Israel and the United States. Trump wrote that the U.S. would finish the job unless Iran quickly changed its posture. He added that Netanyahu had been tough, brave and outstanding despite enormous opposition, including within Israel, and said that was the kind of partner the U.S. wanted in Israel. Trump said he hoped the letter would demonstrate his complete support for Netanyahu's re-election in the coming vote.
It is the first time Trump has publicly declared his support for Netanyahu ahead of the election, which Israel holds on the 27th. The move is seen as an attempt to bolster the prime minister as it becomes increasingly likely that he will serve as caretaker leader even without winning a majority.
Trump had repeatedly aired differences with Netanyahu over the war with Iran, Lebanon and Gaza, and in June went so far as to call him "crazy" and to say he would have gone to prison were it not for Trump himself.
In an interview with the U.S. online outlet Axios, Trump said he had always intended to make the endorsement but had not wanted to do it too early. He said he maintained a good relationship with Netanyahu and was backing him because the cooperation would continue if the prime minister won another term.
Still, asked in a Newsmax interview on the 15th whether he trusted Netanyahu, Trump signaled lingering wariness, saying that honestly nobody can be trusted in the world of politics.
It is the first Israeli general election since the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has 120 seats, and a coalition of parties must secure at least 61 to form a government. Current polling, however, suggests both the pro-Netanyahu and anti-Netanyahu blocs will win only about 50 seats each, leaving no party able to form a coalition government immediately. Reuters reported that in that case Netanyahu could serve as caretaker prime minister until the next election.
Many observers doubt the endorsement will be powerful enough to reshape the race. The New York Times noted that Trump's backing would not carry the influence it once did, adding that many Israelis now view him as an unpredictable leader.