Trump Backs Netanyahu 9 Days Ahead of Israeli Election, Calling Him 'Great Warrior'

U.S. President Donald Trump voiced his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the 18th (local time), nine days ahead of Israel's general election on October 27.

In a letter to the Israeli people posted on Truth Social, President Trump wrote of Prime Minister Netanyahu, "He has been a great warrior prime minister and an even greater partner for peace in fighting Iran, which for 51 years has chanted 'Death to Israel, Death to America, and destruction to the Small Satan and the Great Satan.'"

He added, "Unless they change their tune rapidly, we will finish the job," and warned, "If Israel has the wrong leader instead of Bibi (a nickname for Prime Minister Netanyahu), the U.S. will have to do this job ourselves, and I do not want to do that."

President Trump stated that Netanyahu has been "strong, brave, and brilliant despite the tremendous opposition, even from within Israel. This is the partner America requires in Israel," and expressed hope that "this letter shows my complete endorsement for Netanyahu's reelection as prime minister in the upcoming Israeli election."

This marks President Trump's first endorsement ahead of the Israeli general election.

He had previously avoided publicly expressing support as Primeنك Netanyahu went against his policies on issues in Lebanon and Gaza.

Various opinion polls show that the Yisrael Beiteinu party led by former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, the opposition frontrunner, is currently leading Prime Minister Netanyahu's ruling Likud party in the Israeli election.

As a result, attention is focused on whether Prime Minister Netanyahu can overturn the unfavorable election landscape through the endorsement of President Trump, who remains popular in Israel.

The Associated Press noted, "It is not immediately clear what impact this endorsement will have on a tightly contested election," adding, "While Trump remains popular in Israel, many Israelis, including prominent commentators, have expressed disappointment over the inconclusive results of the war with Iran and President Trump's ceasefire proposals."

Prime Minister Netanyahu, who had been awaiting President Trump's endorsement, reacted with immediate enthusiasm.

He wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter), "Thank you, President Trump, for your tremendous support and cooperation. Together we will complete the mission."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.