Trump Backs Netanyahu Nine Days Before Israeli Election, Citing Leadership Against Iran

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, Oct. 18, throwing his support behind the longtime American ally just nine days before Israel’s national election.

In a lengthy statement addressed to Israeli voters, Trump praised Netanyahu’s leadership during the conflict with Iran and warned that a change in Israeli leadership could complicate American efforts to confront Tehran.

The announcement marks a change from Trump’s recent position, when he repeatedly declined to endorse Netanyahu despite their longstanding political relationship and cooperation on regional military operations.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president described Netanyahu as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and an “even greater Partner for Peace,” linking his endorsement to Israel’s cooperation with the United States during the ongoing confrontation with Iran.

Trump also suggested that Israel’s election outcome could affect Washington’s willingness to continue military operations against 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,” he said.

The endorsement was confirmed by Reuters, which reported that Netanyahu is seeking another term amid domestic criticism, regional instability and uncertainty surrounding Israel’s next governing coalition. <Cite refs={[“turn790442news22″,”turn790442search12”]}/>

Trump’s announcement followed several weeks of speculation about whether he would publicly support Netanyahu.

Earlier this month, the president told TIME that he did not intend to involve himself in Israel’s domestic political affairs.

“I’m not involved in [Israeli] politics anymore,” Trump said.

During a subsequent Newsmax interview Thursday, Trump acknowledged that Netanyahu wanted his support but stopped short of providing an endorsement.

“I’ve had a very good relationship with him,” Trump said.

Asked whether he trusted the Israeli prime minister, Trump replied, “I don’t trust anybody in the world of politics.”

The president also avoided endorsing Israeli candidates when questioned by reporters last week.

“We haven’t even thought about it,” Trump said, before adding, “I may be doing something.”

The hesitation followed reports of disagreements between Trump and Netanyahu over military operations involving Iran and the timing of diplomatic negotiations.

According to previous accounts of their private exchanges, Trump criticized Netanyahu for continuing military action while Washington was exploring possible negotiations with Tehran.

Reports described a heated telephone conversation in which Trump allegedly called Netanyahu “f*cking crazy” and accused him of failing to appreciate American assistance, including previous political support during the Israeli leader’s corruption proceedings.

Those descriptions were attributed to unnamed sources familiar with the exchanges and have not been independently confirmed through a public transcript.

The two leaders have maintained extensive diplomatic and military cooperation despite periodic disagreements.

Their governments coordinated military operations against Iranian targets earlier this year, although differences have emerged concerning ceasefire proposals, Gaza and the broader regional conflict.

Netanyahu faces an election in which Israel’s security policies and the consequences of the wars involving Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have become central issues.

The October 27 vote will be Israel’s first national election since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which triggered a prolonged regional conflict.

Netanyahu’s governing coalition has faced criticism over security failures preceding the attack, the conduct of military operations and the country’s economic challenges.

Israeli parliamentary elections determine the composition of the 120-seat Knesset, with the next government formed through coalition negotiations rather than a direct popular vote for prime minister.

Recent polling has indicated that neither Netanyahu’s existing coalition nor the principal opposition parties have secured a clear majority, making the formation of a government a significant question after Election Day. <Cite refs={[“turn790442news23″,”turn790442search16”]}/>

Trump’s statement emphasized Netanyahu’s determination and his experience managing threats from Iran.

“Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself,” Trump wrote.

“Despite all of that, he has endured and, in fact, he has thrived!”

Trump also praised the Israeli leader for maintaining his position under political and military pressure.

“I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times. Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure — But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today.”

Netanyahu subsequently thanked Trump publicly for the endorsement and their cooperation, writing that they would continue pursuing their shared regional objectives. <Cite ref=”turn790442search10″/>

The endorsement also comes as Washington faces questions about its future involvement in the Middle East, including efforts to end the conflict with Iran and address continuing instability in Gaza.

Trump has argued that Iran’s military and financial capabilities have been severely weakened, while warning that additional action remains possible if Tehran does not change its policies.

His full statement Sunday read:

To the Great People of Israel:
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.” 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. 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.
Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself. Despite all of that, he has endured and, in fact, he has thrived! I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times. Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure — But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today. This is the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much. 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. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Thank you for your attention to this matter.
DONALD J. TRUMP
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

The endorsement places Trump directly into Israel’s final days of campaigning after months of publicly avoiding a commitment.

Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized his relationship with Washington as a central component of his foreign policy, while political opponents have challenged his government’s handling of security and diplomatic affairs.

Whether Trump’s intervention changes voter preferences or the eventual coalition negotiations remains uncertain.

Israeli voters will determine the composition of the next Knesset on October 27, after which political parties must negotiate the formation of a government.