Trump publicly endorses Netanyahu nine days before Israeli election, calling him a “great warrior”

[Financial News] On the 18th, nine days before Israel’s general election on the 27th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump sent a message of support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a letter to the people of Israel posted that day on the social media platform Truth Social, President Trump wrote of Prime Minister Netanyahu: “He was a great warrior prime minister and an even greater partner for peace in the fight against Iran, which for 51 years has chanted, ‘Death to Israel, death to America, destroy the Little Satan and the Great Satan.’”
He added, “Unless they (Iran) change their attitude quickly, we will finish that (the war). If Israel had the wrong leader in place of Bibi (a nickname based on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s first name, ‘Benjamin’), the U.S. would have to do this itself, and I don’t want to do that.”
President Trump said Prime Minister Netanyahu “has been strong, courageous and outstanding despite the enormous opposition he faces even in Israel. This is exactly the kind of partner the United States expects from Israel,” adding, “I hope this letter shows my full support for Netanyahu’s re-election as prime minister in the upcoming Israeli election.”
This is President Trump’s first endorsement ahead of Israel’s election. Until now, he had refrained from publicly expressing support for Netanyahu as the prime minister went against his policies on Lebanon and Gaza.


Various polls show Yashar, the party of Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff and a leading opposition figure, ahead of Likud, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s current ruling party.
Attention is now focused on whether Prime Minister Netanyahu can turn around the unfavorable electoral outlook with an endorsement from President Trump, who is popular in Israel.
The Associated Press noted, “It is not immediately clear what effect this endorsement will have on an election expected to be close,” adding, “Trump remains popular in Israel, but many Israelis, including prominent commentators, have expressed disappointment with the incomplete outcome of the war with Iran and President Trump’s ceasefire proposal.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu, who had been waiting for President Trump’s endorsement, welcomed it immediately.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said, “I am grateful for President Trump’s tremendous support and cooperation. Together, we will complete this mission.”

[email protected] Lee Seok-woo, International Affairs Correspondent Reporter