Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu despite Trump's strong backing
US President Donald Trump has thrown his strong support behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election bid, but Vice President JD Vance has not followed that path. He made clear that he will not get involved in Israel's election and is not endorsing Netanyahu.
Vance stated the position on Monday in an interview with Mark Halperin on '2WAY Tonight'. According to Politico, his focus ahead of the midterms remains on candidates in the United States.
'The president has the most effective endorsement in American or international political history,' Vance said. 'I endorse American candidates, and that's where I'm focused on in the midterms. So I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections.'
Vance made clear, however, that his decision should not be read as opposition to Netanyahu. In his words: 'I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him. I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections.'
Vance's comments came one day after Trump gave Netanyahu his 'Complete and Total Endorsement' in a lengthy Truth Social post, praising the prime minister as a key US ally and a partner in confronting Iran.
Trump wrote: 'Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran.' He also noted that Netanyahu had remained strong despite intense political pressure.
Trump's language was even more direct: '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!'
Netanyahu quickly welcomed the president's backing, thanking Trump for what he called his 'extraordinary endorsement'. 'President Trump, my friend Donald — thank you for your extraordinary endorsement,' he said. 'Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran's regime get nuclear weapons. Thank you for your clarity, courage and unwavering support.'
The differing positions of Trump and Vance are now fuelling discussion in American political circles. While the president has fully inserted himself into a foreign leader's election race, the vice president has deliberately kept his distance.
Vance's stance is not entirely without precedent, however. Earlier this year he reportedly waded into another foreign political contest: in April he travelled to Hungary and campaigned alongside then-Prime Minister Viktor Orban shortly before Orban lost his re-election bid, according to Politico.
The White House could not immediately be reached for comment. Fox News Digital sought a response, but the White House did not reply at the time.
With Israel's upcoming election approaching, Trump's endorsement is a major political asset for Netanyahu, but Vance's neutral stance shows that even within the administration, not everyone shares the same strategy on this question. It remains to be seen whether Vance's distance has any effect on the calculations in Israel's election.
