Trump gives Netanyahu a late boost
President Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection on Sunday, according to CBS News. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Netanyahu "has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Trump also wrote that Netanyahu had been "Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself." He added that Netanyahu had "endured and, in fact, he has thrived!"
CBS described the endorsement as a coveted boost because Trump remains popular in Israel. It also noted that the president had withheld his support for months as the two leaders' strategies in the Middle East diverged.
Trump links Iran action to the election
In the same post, Trump again threatened to "soon finish the job" against Iran "unless they change their ways, rapidly." He then suggested his willingness to do so depended on Israel's election result.
"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.
The United States and Israel jointly launched a war against Iran in February. According to CBS, it lasted nearly eight months. Many Israelis, including leading commentators, have expressed disappointment with its inconclusive outcome and with Trump's ceasefire proposal, which fell short of many of the countries' key goals.
Netanyahu's response
Netanyahu thanked Trump on X for his "tremendous support and the joint work." He added, "Together we will complete the mission!" His Likud Party attached a 35-second video to the statement, with clips of the two leaders together and Trump praising the prime minister.
In a separate video message, Netanyahu said he was "honored and humbled" by the endorsement. He said there has "never been a greater friend of Israel in the White House."
Netanyahu also spoke directly to American viewers about Iran. "If you're worried about today's gas prices, think of what will happen if Iran gets nuclear weapons — something that Donald Trump and I will never allow," he said. He added that gas prices would fall when "that regime disappears," but "only under Trump."
The political backdrop
Israelis vote on Oct. 27, in the first national elections since the Hamas attack of 2023. CBS reported that the race is expected to be tight and that it was not immediately clear what effect the endorsement would have.
Netanyahu leads what CBS called the most nationalist and far-right government in Israel's history. It faces domestic criticism over security failures and international criticism over the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Some of its senior officials are settlers themselves.
Trump and Netanyahu have long been close allies. CBS said they seemed more aligned than ever after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in 2025, though the two disagreed at times during this year's war.
