Trump Renews Endorsement of Netanyahu Ahead of Israeli Election

Former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday night, just before Israel's general election began on Monday. Trump posted on his social media platform TRURH, addressing the Israeli people and sharing a previous endorsement he had made for Netanyahu a week prior. Axios reported that Netanyahu had spoken with Trump twice in the preceding three days, requesting stronger public backing.

In response to Trump's statement, Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, stated that the upcoming election was critical for Israel's future, identity, and security. Eisenkot criticized Netanyahu's campaign tactics, which he described as fear-mongering and lies, including the use of atomic bomb imagery in Tel Aviv, asserting these tactics would no longer be effective. He affirmed Trump as a true friend of Israel and expressed confidence that Trump would cooperate with any leader chosen by the Israeli people.

Trump's message urged voters to remember Netanyahu as an "outstanding warrior prime minister" and to reject hateful rhetoric against the U.S. and Israel, such as "Death to America, Death to Israel." He encouraged Israelis to vote for Netanyahu to "finish the job we started."

Amidst Trump's renewed support and ahead of the election, Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog was interviewed by MS NOW. Herzog commented that he does not believe the U.S. President or any other external figure can influence his decision-making process, emphasizing that decisions must be based on facts, though he acknowledged that significant pressures would exist.