Trump Uses Netanyahu Support as Leverage Ahead of Israeli Election

President Donald Trump has turned his possible backing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into leverage ahead of Israel’s next election, according to a report he shared on his social network. The Just the News piece said Trump now holds the "cards" over Netanyahu’s reelection chances, and that American support could depend on whether Israel aligns with the U.S.-Iran understanding, especially the demand to restrain military activity in Lebanon.

The move came after Trump told Kan News journalist Nathan Gutman that it was "very likely" he would back Netanyahu in the coming election, but added that he needed to "see who is running." He said he has a good relationship with Netanyahu, though the prime minister "needs to be more rational," and said he was willing to meet him.

The American report said Trump still likes "Bibi" and values their cooperation, but is also sending clear warnings: fewer prolonged and aggressive operations, more restraint, less civilian harm, and above all no steps that could undermine the memorandum of understanding with Iran. It noted that Trump recently criticized Israel publicly, including telling the G7 summit that "there would be no Israel" without him.

According to the article, Trump sees continued escalation in Lebanon, strikes in Beirut, and challenges to the agreement’s terms as threats to the U.S. effort to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and stabilize oil prices. It also cited Netanyahu’s right-wing partners, including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, as saying Israel is not bound by parts of the deal, especially the Lebanon ceasefire and withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Just the News said persistent defiance from Jerusalem could lead Trump to withdraw public support for Netanyahu. It said he has not committed definitively, and may wait, remain neutral, or back another candidate if Netanyahu looks politically weak or if someone else better fits his agenda. The names Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot were mentioned as possible alternatives. Kan News also reported that Trump addressed Iran’s remaining enriched uranium, saying it is "not very important" because it is buried underground and that the U.S. will obtain it later, while urging Israelis to support the Iran deal and saying the main threat has been removed.