Trump Endorses Netanyahu One Week Before Close Israeli Election

US President Donald Trump on Sunday gave his full backing to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is fighting for an edge in the October 27 parliamentary vote. In a post on Truth Social addressed to the people of Israel, Trump called him a great warrior prime minister and a peace partner, and credited him with joining the United States in strikes on Iran in February. Netanyahu thanked his “dear friend Donald” on X and said they would complete the mission together. The Iran conflict, now in its seventh month, has disrupted global energy markets and damaged infrastructure across the Middle East.

Israel Election Polls and Coalition Outlook

Polls show no candidate with a clear path to power, and the prime minister is chosen through coalition building in parliament. Netanyahu’s religious nationalist coalition is projected to lose its majority, though the opposition may also struggle to govern, which could leave him as caretaker while another election is held. It is Israel’s first vote since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

Will the Trump Endorsement Help Netanyahu

Analysts are split on the impact. Tamar Hermann of the Israel Democracy Institute said it could win back wavering voters but is unlikely to draw wide support, since Israeli views of Trump have cooled over disagreements on Iran. Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment said that in a race this tight, it could not hurt and might help.

Trump Foreign Election Endorsements

Trump has broken with US tradition by backing candidates in Hungary, Colombia, Argentina, Japan and Honduras. His bond with Netanyahu has been close but fractious. Americans, who vote November 3 in congressional elections, remain unhappy with the Iran war.