Netanyahu to Run for Re-election Amid Tensions with Trump; Trump Says "I Don't Know"

Israel's ruling Likud party announced on June 10 (local time) that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run in the upcoming general election to seek re-election.

In a statement, the Likud party emphasized, "Prime Minister Netanyahu will run in the upcoming election, and with God's help, he will win."

The Likud party's announcement appears to be in response to remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Prime Minister's re-election bid.

Previously, President Trump mentioned in an interview with ABC News that he was unsure if Prime Minister Netanyahu planned to run in the next general election.

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, President Trump expressed doubt about Netanyahu's re-election bid, stating, "I don't know. He's had an amazing career," and adding, "Does he want to continue? You know, he's a wartime prime minister."

President Trump continued, "We're going to win the war one way or the other, and you know, he's a wartime prime minister," he emphasized.

Earlier, according to U.S. media outlet Axios and others, it was reported that President Trump had been experiencing friction with Prime Minister Netanyahu over the issue of a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Likud party held elections for its regional branches and the powerful Central Committee last November for the first time in about 14 years.

At that time, with no rivals emerging within the party to challenge Prime Minister Netanyahu's leadership, party members simply went through the process of approving his continued tenure as party leader.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.