Trump endorses Netanyahu ahead of Israeli election

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 05:39 · Archive

Donald Trump has endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election campaign, saying Iran has been 'systematically destroyed'.

Donald Trump has endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election campaign, breaking his previous refusal to back any candidate in the Israeli election. Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said Netanyahu had been a 'great warrior prime minister and an even greater partner for peace'.

Trump added that Iran had been 'systematically destroyed both militarily and financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job'. He stated that if Israel elected anyone other than Netanyahu, America would have to undertake military action itself, which he said he was not inclined to do.

Trump praised Netanyahu's resilience under pressure, writing that 'normal men and women' would have 'wilted' but Netanyahu 'got stronger' and 'thrived'. He concluded with a statement of 'Complete and Total Endorsement' of Netanyahu in his 'upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel'.

France 24 reports that Trump and Netanyahu discussed attacking Iran together in a phone call, with the US president predicting Netanyahu would win the election. The Financial Times reports that the Israeli military made plans for an extensive operation against Iran earlier this month but held off after Trump indicated he ruled out an attack before US midterm elections.

The Israeli election is scheduled for 27 October. According to Haaretz's tracking, Netanyahu's Likud party-led coalition is projected to win 51 of the 120 seats in the Knesset, narrowly behind the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party at 52 seats. No party is projected to secure an outright majority.

How it is being reported

• Netanyahu pushes to resume strikes against IranIsraeli military made plans for extensive operation earlier this month but held off as Donald Trump rules out an attack before US midterm electionsFinancial Times · 21 Oct, 05:00
• 'Netanyahu is fighting for his political career', expert says a week ahead of crucial voteIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu basked in Donald Trump's endorsement on Monday ahead of close-fought elections, airing a phone call in which the US president predicted he would win and suggested they may again attack Iran together. FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Jerusalem. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Simon Mabon, Professor of International Politics and Middle East Studies at Lancaster University.France 24 · 20 Oct, 21:03
• US envoy Barrack defends decision to join Israel in war on IranUS envoy Tom Barrack says President Trump did not follow Israel in going to war against Iran.Al Jazeera · 20 Oct, 14:20
• Trump backs Netanyahu: Is the US planning a new Iran attack with Israel?Trump’s endorsement comes after he previously shied away from fully backing Netanyahu’s election campaign.Al Jazeera · 19 Oct, 18:16

In this story: Donald Trump · Benjamin Netanyahu · Israel · Iran · Gadi Eisenkot · Yashar party · Likud

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem