Trump urges Israelis to re-elect ‘Great Warrior’ Netanyahu in stunning intervention

On October 18, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, for re-election on social media, nine days before the country's parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Trump described Netanyahu as a "Great Warrior Prime Minister" and an "even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran." This endorsement comes amid tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over the ongoing conflict with Iran and domestic criticism of Netanyahu's government regarding security failures and treatment of Palestinians.

Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support, noting that it could influence Israeli voters. However, Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu’s top rival in the election, while acknowledging Trump as an ally to Israel, emphasized that Israelis should make their decision based on domestic issues. The endorsement is seen as significant given Trump's popularity among many Israelis despite recent strains between the two leaders over strategies in the Middle East.

The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel killed 1,200 Israelis and injured and captured hundreds more, adding complexity to the current election period. Netanyahu’s government faces criticism for its handling of security issues alongside international concerns about human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza under his administration's policies. Despite these challenges, Trump's endorsement aims to bolster Netanyahu’s chances as he seeks another term amidst a competitive race.