US VP Vance Declines to Endorse Netanyahu Ahead of Israeli Election

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance on Monday refrained from endorsing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection bid in the upcoming 26th Knesset elections, a day after former President Donald Trump declared his full support for Netanyahu. Vance stated during an interview with journalist Mark Halperin that Trump "has the strongest endorsement in American or international political history." Vance added that he supports American candidates and is focusing on the midterm elections, thus he would not interfere in the Israeli elections. This comes after Vance previously supported Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during his reelection campaign last spring, though Orbán's right-wing party subsequently lost parliamentary elections.

Trump had publicly backed Netanyahu on Sunday via his "Truth Social" platform, calling him a "great Prime Minister and even greater partner in peace" and highlighting their cooperation against Iran. Trump asserted that Iran has been "systematically destroyed militarily and economically" and warned that the U.S. would "finish the job soon" if Tehran does not change course. He directly addressed the Israeli election, stating that Israel choosing any leader other than Netanyahu would be a "mistake" and would force the U.S. to "do the job ourselves," which he indicated he does not favor. Trump's statement represents a direct intervention to support Netanyahu shortly before the elections, placing the U.S. position at the center of Israeli politics.

Netanyahu, in response to Trump's endorsement, reiterated the need to complete the mission of eliminating the Iranian threat. He stated that his election is necessary to finish this task within the next two years, or possibly sooner. Addressing Israeli citizens, Netanyahu emphasized that this is the "greatest consideration" and a matter of "our existence," referring to the Iranian threat.