President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election, warning that a change in leadership could leave Washington to confront Iran without its closest regional ally.
Trump Links Netanyahu’s Reelection to Iran Strategy
On Sunday, Trump endorsed Netanyahu in a Truth Social post, praising his leadership and partnership with the U.S. as the two countries’ strategies toward Iran have diverged during the nearly eight-month conflict this year.
Trump described Netanyahu as a strong wartime leader and a key partner in confronting Iran.
The president warned he could soon resume efforts to intensify pressure on Tehran if it did not quickly change course. However, he suggested that Netanyahu’s defeat could affect Washington’s willingness to take further action.
"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," Trump wrote.
"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," the president wrote.
Netanyahu Thanks Trump for Election Endorsement
Netanyahu responded on X, thanking Trump for his backing.
"President Trump, my friend Donald — thank you for your extraordinary endorsement," Netanyahu wrote. "Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House."
The Israeli prime minister added that the two leaders would work together to prevent Iran’s government from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu also shared a 35-second video featuring footage of the leaders together and clips of Trump praising him.
The endorsement comes after the leaders appeared closely aligned following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025, the Associated Press noted.
Their approaches have since diverged during this year’s war with Iran.
Trump has backed Netanyahu previously. In November, he wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and urged him to pardon the prime minister on corruption charges.
The International Criminal Court has also issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Polymarket Odds Put Eizenkot Ahead of Netanyahu
On Polygon (CRYPTO: POL)-based Polymarket, Gadi Eizenkot, a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, had 47% odds of becoming Israel’s next prime minister as of Oct. 19, compared with 29% for incumbent Netanyahu and 12% for former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
The market’s pricing marks a shift from mid-July, when Eizenkot had 51% odds of becoming prime minister, while Netanyahu stood at 37%.
The election will be Israel’s first national vote since Hamas attacked the country on Oct. 7, 2023.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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