Trump's Public Endorsement of Netanyahu's Re-Election, Warning Over Iran
US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his party Likud in the upcoming Knesset election. Against the backdrop of the multi-front war against Iran and its nuclear weapons ambitions, he has described Netanyahu as a 'great warrior' and America's partner for peace.
In a full endorsement message given on Sunday morning, Trump wrote that he has seen Bibi (Netanyahu) in the toughest times. In his words, in such situations ordinary women and men would break under pressure, but Bibi did not break, rather he became stronger, and he holds that strength even today.
Trump wrote that the United States wants exactly such a partner in Israel, a country for which the United States has done so much. He asked that the letter be considered his 'complete and absolute endorsement' of Netanyahu in the race for re-election as Israel's prime minister.
In the same message, Trump warned that if anyone other than Bibi in Israel were the 'wrong leader,' America would have to do that work itself — and he is not eager to do so. He ended the message with this declaration — 'Bibi Netanyahu will never disappoint you.'
In response, Netanyahu wrote on X, 'President Trump, thank you for the huge support and the joint work. Together we will complete the mission.'
In this election, to be held on October 27, the contest will be over control of the 120-seat Knesset, which will ultimately decide who the next prime minister will be. Israelis vote for party lists, and seats are distributed proportionally among the parties that cross the 3.25 percent threshold.
After the vote, Israel's president consults with the party leaders and entrusts a member of the Knesset with the task of forming the government — usually whoever is in the most advantageous position to form a coalition. To form a government, the candidate needs to secure the support of at least 61 of the 120 members.
Notably, although Isaac Herzog is Israel's president, he is not on the ballot, nor does he lead any party or coalition.
According to current forecasts, Likud may get about 18 to 22 seats. And including other parties, the total seats of the Netanyahu-aligned right-wing-religious bloc may stand at about 49 to 51, which is less than a majority.
As a result, the balance of power may rest in the hands of small parties and potential coalition partners. In the midst of such an uncertain equation, Trump's public endorsement has added a new dimension to the electoral fight.
