OMM Newsroom
U.S. President Donald Trump has backed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s parliamentary election on Oct. 27. Trump called him a strong leader and a partner in the war with Iran.
According to AnewZ, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, calling Netanyahu a “great wartime prime minister” and noting that he joined the United States in strikes on Iran in February.
“Bibi Netanyahu has been strong, courageous and brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including from within Israel itself,” Trump wrote.
In a message addressed to the Israeli public, he added: “Let this letter serve as a full and complete endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu for re-election as Prime Minister of Israel in the upcoming contest.”
In a post on X, Netanyahu thanked Trump: “Thank you, Mr. President Trump, for your support and partnership. Together, we will complete the mission!”
Election contest and coalition calculations
Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party faces a competitive election. Opinion polls indicate that neither his bloc nor his rivals are clearly positioned to secure a parliamentary majority.
Israeli voters do not elect the prime minister directly. Instead, the leader considered best placed to form a governing coalition in the 120-seat Knesset is usually asked to form a government.
The vote will take place as the war with Iran, which began in February, continues to affect global energy markets and damage infrastructure across the Middle East.
Impact of Trump’s endorsement remains uncertain
It is unclear whether Trump’s endorsement will strengthen Netanyahu’s position. Disagreements between Washington and Israel over the war with Iran have hurt the U.S. president’s standing among Israelis.
Trump has also publicly endorsed candidates in Hungary and Argentina, departing from the longstanding U.S. tradition of avoiding involvement in elections in other countries.
