U.S. President Donald Trump announced his full and unconditional support for Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, in the parliamentary elections on 27 October 2026.
In a message, Trump described Netanyahu as an "exceptional partner in achieving peace" and an "extraordinary warrior prime minister." Netanyahu, in turn, thanked Trump and stressed the continuation of joint efforts to "eliminate the threat posed by Iran."
Trump’s endorsement comes as polls point to a fierce contest between Netanyahu and his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot. Eisenkot criticized Trump’s position, saying: "Israel is a democratic country, and only its citizens can elect its leaders."
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Netanyahu was trying to push the United States toward a new war and stressed that any such attempt would face a strong Iranian response.
It is noteworthy that these elections are Israel’s first since Hamas’s attacks and the outbreak of the Gaza Strip war on 7 October 2023. Netanyahu, who returned to office in December 2022, is considered one of the longest-serving prime ministers in Israel’s history.
