President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, praising the longtime leader as a critical American ally in the war against Iran and warning his exit could leave the United States shouldering more of the conflict.
In a lengthy Truth Social post addressed to the Israeli people, Trump offered his complete backing of Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s elections, arguing that the prime minister’s leadership has been essential in confronting Tehran.
“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 said. “Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself.”
The president credited Netanyahu with helping weaken Iran militarily and financially while threatening further action if Tehran refuses to change course.
“Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its 51 year old chant, ‘Death to Israel, Death to America! We will destroy the Little Satan and the Big Satan,'” Trump wrote. “What Country can survive when things such as this are allowed to be said, because eventually, they always end up being true? It would have been only a question of time until Iran would have put that ominous phrase into effect, but they have been systematically destroyed, both Militarily and Financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job.”
The endorsement underscores the close political relationship between Trump and Netanyahu, whose governments coordinated the military operation against Iran amid the conflict that has reshaped security across the Middle East.
Their partnership has also faced strains over how to proceed with the war. Axios reported last week that the two leaders discussed the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran before their respective countries’ elections, although the White House disputed that account. Trump has said the U.S. would not attack Iran before the November midterms.
Trump had declined to endorse Netanyahu until Sunday, nine days before Israel’s Oct. 27 parliamentary elections, the country’s first national vote since Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack and the subsequent wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
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Netanyahu faces a difficult reelection campaign, with polling suggesting his governing coalition could fall short of securing another majority. Unlike American elections, Israel does not directly elect heads of government. Voters instead select political parties to fill the 120 seats in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, through proportional representation.
Trump’s endorsement could offer Netanyahu a political boost as he seeks to extend his tenure as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, with the outcome likely to influence the direction of U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
