Trump endorses Netanyahu ahead of Israel's Oct. 27 election amid Iran concerns

President Donald Trump issued a strong endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's national election on Oct. 27, describing the Israeli leader as a "great warrior" and a vital partner in confronting Iran. Netanyahu thanked Trump for the endorsement, saying, "Together we will never let Iran’s regime get nuclear weapons."

Israeli officials highlighted the depth of the U.S.-Israel partnership, with Doron Spielman, the prime minister’s international spokesman, noting that the current relationship is unprecedented in the history of bilateral ties. He reiterated Netanyahu’s campaign promise to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, adding that Israel prefers to act together with the United States, which has already supported Israeli operations twice, including the June 2025 mission against Iran.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, leads a right-wing bloc that includes parties such as Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism-Zehut, Shas and United Torah Judaism. Newer parties like Amcha Yisrael may also join the bloc, though internal disputes could affect vote distribution. Polls in Hebrew-language media show no clear majority for either Netanyahu’s coalition or the opposition led by former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, raising the possibility of another round of elections if no governing coalition is formed.

Security analysts warned that any incoming government will inherit the same challenges, with Dan Diker of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs emphasizing the need for a more assertive national security concept. Critics, including professor Tamar Hermann of the Israel Democracy Institute, argued that Netanyahu has fallen short of his security promises, citing the failure to dismantle Hamas and Hezbollah and perceived concessions to settlement vigilantes and ultra-Orthodox parties.

Former ambassador Michael Oren framed the election as a test of Netanyahu’s historical legacy, suggesting that the prime minister sees his role as defending Israel from existential threats, particularly Iran. The election is being viewed as a referendum on whether voters will grant Netanyahu another term to pursue his security agenda.