How Will Trump's Endorsement of Netanyahu Affect Israel's Election?

President Donald Trump officially endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu days before the Israeli election on October 27. Outlets on the left and center examined how Trump's endorsement might affect Netanyahu's chances, while outlets on the right highlighted Israel's importance in the war in Iran.

The Details: Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday, "Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran…Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" Netanyahu responded on X, saying, "President Trump, my friend Donald - thank you for your extraordinary endorsement. Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran's regime get nuclear weapons."

For Context: Israeli voters technically vote for a party, rather than an individual candidate, although the leader of the winning party is very likely also to become the prime minister. Netanyahu leads the Likud Party. According to polls cited by The Times of Israel (Center bias), the other leading party is the more centrist Yashar, led by Gadi Eisenkot.

How the Media Covered It: The Times of Israel reported that Trump's endorsement did not lead to an immediate bump in polls supporting Netanyahu. The Times cited a Channel 12 poll that found that the Yashar party is likely to win 24 seats, Netanyahu's Likud party is likely to win 21 seats, and the rest of the seats will be distributed among other smaller parties. New York Times (Lean Left) also quoted analysts who believe any boost from the endorsement will be "short-lived," partially because "the Trump brand is simply not what it used to be in Israel." New York Times claimed that many Israelis' support of Trump has dwindled because of his "mercurial" policies and decisions surrounding the Iran war. Fox News (Right) focused on Trump's statements about the Iran war, highlighting his claim, "If Israel has the wrong leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so."

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