Trump endorses Netanyahu days before Israeli elections 1:43

CNN, PBS NewsHour and The Independent report that President Donald Trump has endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, announcing it on Truth Social days before Israelis vote on Oct. 27. The backing matters because Netanyahu has sold himself as Trump's close ally, and PBS NewsHour says Trump withheld it for months while their approaches in the Middle East diverged, according to CNN · Daily Wire.

Trump called Netanyahu a warrior and a partner against Iran, and said that if Israel picked anyone else, America would have to deal with Iran itself, adding "I am not inclined to do so." Netanyahu thanked him on X, and PBS NewsHour adds that Likud paired the thanks with a 35-second video of the two leaders.

Any effect is uncertain. The Independent says Israeli enthusiasm for Trump has faded over Iran disagreements, and polls show no candidate with a clear path, since prime ministers emerge from parliamentary coalition-building. PBS NewsHour adds that Trump criticized an Israeli attack on an Iranian gas field, and that Netanyahu in August rejected Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan. Israelis have not voted nationally since Hamas struck on Oct. 7, 2023.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN · Daily Wire, PBS NewsHour and The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN · Daily Wire → Also at PBS NewsHour → Also at The Independent →