Trump officially endorsed Netanyahu for a second time after reported pressure from Netanyahu’s circle to do so
Three major Israeli television networks released final pre-election polls Friday projecting just 50 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc in the 120-member Knesset, 17 fewer than his current coalition holds
On Sunday evening, Trump issued another endorsement on Truth Social, calling on Israelis to vote for Netanyahu. “As everyone is aware, including the enemy, Bibi and I have had a great relationship in winning together,” he wrote. Trump cited operations against Iran and said, “Bibi has been an outstanding Warrior Prime Minister!”
“There can no longer be the chant heard around the World of ‘Death to America, Death to Israel,’ and there won’t be,” Trump wrote. “Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started!”
Trump first endorsed Netanyahu last Sunday after weeks of hesitation.
This second endorsement follows reports by Axios that PM Benjamin Netanyahu has pleaded with President Donald Trump in recent days to show more public support for his campaign ahead of Tuesday’s elections.
A US source said the White House sees Netanyahu’s lobbying as a “sign of desperation” and an indication that he thinks he is trailing. Netanyahu spoke with Trump twice in the past three days and asked him to double down on his Truth Social endorsement from last week, the US source said, adding that Netanyahu even suggested language for further statements of support.
Meanwhile, an Israeli source told Axios that Netanyahu proposed that Trump hold calls with Israeli reporters to express more support.
Likud spokesperson Neta Molcho denied that Netanyahu asked Trump to support his campaign “in recent days or before his endorsement statement.” The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Most polls project 50 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc, with Likud winning 20. They gave Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc between 52 and 56 seats, with 14 to 16 going to two Arab Israeli parties. Channel 14 offered outlying reports, projecting 60 seats for Netanyahu’s bloc and 30 for Likud in a poll earlier this week.