Trump Urges Israelis to Re-elect Netanyahu to Address Iran

Former President Donald Trump has publicly renewed his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, encouraging Israelis to vote for him in the upcoming elections. Trump, who previously endorsed Netanyahu last week, stated that electing the Prime Minister would allow them to "finish the job" regarding Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Netanyahu as an "outstanding warrior prime minister." He also referenced historical animosity, noting that "Israel was called the little satan, with the United States being called the big satan, by some very evil people." Trump expressed a belief that "Death to America, death to Israel" would no longer be a chanted slogan.

This endorsement comes as Israelis prepare to vote in national elections, the first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The election is widely viewed as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership.

While the Hamas attack and Israel's conduct in Gaza have been prominent issues, public debate has largely focused on Netanyahu's leadership and character. This includes his role in the security failures leading up to October 7, proposed exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews, and a 2023 judicial overhaul that critics argued undermined democratic institutions.

Key electoral blocs in Israel largely support continued Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank and oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. No major candidate is actively campaigning on a platform to revive peace process negotiations.

Polls from the Israel Democracy Institute indicate that approximately 68% of Jewish Israelis consider their stance on the October 7 attacks a central factor in their voting decisions. Among the Arab minority, only 32% cited the attacks as a prominent issue, with most prioritizing crime.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, has attributed the failures surrounding October 7 to security officials while highlighting military operations against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Critics, however, accuse him of evading responsibility, blocking official inquiries, and failing to secure decisive victories against adversaries.

The issue of military conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, a policy supported by Netanyahu's governing coalitions, has drawn criticism from the secular majority as reservists are frequently called to service. Around 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach conscription age annually, with fewer than 10% enlisting. Netanyahu's chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, has pledged to end these de facto exemptions.

The judicial overhaul plan, which Netanyahu framed as an effort to curb the power of unelected judges, sparked significant protests in 2023 and was viewed by opponents as a power grab by a prime minister facing corruption allegations. While public focus shifted to the war in Gaza and efforts to secure hostage releases after the October 7 attacks, the judicial overhaul remained a concern, particularly for voters on the left.

Israeli elections involve voting for parties, not individual candidates, and no single party is anticipated to secure a parliamentary majority. The party leader who can assemble a coalition government will become the next prime minister. Should no coalition be formed, Netanyahu's government would continue as a caretaker administration pending new elections.

Netanyahu's supporters view him as an experienced statesman capable of resisting international pressure on security matters. His opponents have raised concerns about corruption allegations. Gadi Eisenkot's supporters highlight his military background and personal losses in recent conflicts.

Economic concerns, including a rising cost of living, are also a significant factor for voters. While Netanyahu points to economic growth and the tech sector, opponents argue that many Israelis have been left behind. The Israel Democracy Institute found that 38% of Jewish Israelis and 46% of Arab Israelis consider the economy and cost of living a primary election issue, though it has not been a central theme in the campaign messaging of the main candidates.