Trump openly backs Netanyahu ahead of Israeli election

US President Donald Trump has openly endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's parliamentary election scheduled for October 27. In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump praised Netanyahu as a strong, courageous and talented leader and declared his full support for Netanyahu's campaign.

Trump said that if a different leader were elected in Israel, the United States would have to handle matters related to Iran on its own. Netanyahu thanked Trump on X, saying the two countries would complete the mission together. He said he would work with Trump to remove the threat posed by Iran within the next two years or sooner.

In this closely contested election, Trump's backing is expected to strengthen Netanyahu's re-election campaign. Trump had stood by Netanyahu when the United States and Israel struck Iran in late February, but amid opposition to the war and rising oil prices, he agreed to a ceasefire in April.

There had earlier been visible differences between Netanyahu's view that a diplomatic deal with Iran was not possible and Trump's efforts to end the conflict through negotiations.