Trump endorses Netanyahu despite waning Israeli support — SkimNews
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- Donald Trump endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu on Oct 18 via Truth Social, calling him a "great warrior prime minster" who has remained "Strong, Brave, and Brilliant" against "tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself."
- Trump specifically credited Netanyahu with joining the United States in launching strikes on Iran in February — a conflict now in its seventh month that has disrupted global energy markets and damaged Middle East infrastructure.
- The Oct 27 election will be Israel's first since the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack, with polls showing no candidate has a clear path to power in a system where the prime minister is chosen through parliamentary coalition-building rather than direct popular vote.
- Israeli public support for Trump has diminished amid Israeli-US disagreements over Iran, and the source explicitly says the endorsement is "not certain to give Netanyahu and his right-wing Likud party a boost."
- Netanyahu thanked Trump on X immediately after, writing "Together we will complete the mission!"
- Trump has previously broken with longstanding US tradition by endorsing candidates in foreign elections including Hungary, Colombia, Argentina, Japan and Honduras.
Why it matters: Israeli public support for Trump has diminished amid disagreements over Iran, leaving the endorsement's boost to Likud uncertain ahead of the Oct 27 vote where polls show no candidate with a clear path to power. The race will determine whether Netanyahu remains prime minister after one of the most consequential periods in Israel's recent history.
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