Key Takeaways
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claims Trump's support for upcoming election.
- Trump urges voters to support Netanyahu, saying they must 'finish the job' on Iran.
- Netanyahu warns that any future cooperation with Trump would be conditional on his re-election.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has boasted of US President Donald Trump's endorsement in the run-up to Israel’s election, suggesting the two leaders could restart their war against Iran if Netanyahu wins.
Netanyahu stated, 'US President Donald Trump has come with a friendship that has never existed before between an Israeli prime minister and an American president. And it is doubtful we will ever have such a friendly president again.'
Trump, who launched the Iran war jointly with Netanyahu in February, echoed his support on social media, urging voters to 'Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started!'
Netanyahu warned that any future cooperation with Trump would be conditional on his re-election, stating, 'He has another two years, and he says he is calling on you to vote for me. And I have already instructed the Mossad and the IDF to bring down this regime, to bring down this regime because that is the only way to put an end to this threat.'
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Netanyahu’s remarks.
Netanyahu’s leading opponent, centrist former military Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, praised Trump as 'a true friend of Israel' and expressed confidence that he would work in full cooperation with any leader chosen by the people.
Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of fear-mongering, stating, 'I value his efforts and his commitment to Israel’s security, and I am confident that he will work in full cooperation with any leader chosen by the people.'
Tuesday’s vote, Israel’s first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, is the first chance for voters to deliver a verdict on the worst security failure in generations and the wars on multiple fronts that followed.
Netanyahu says he is not seeking to attack Iran again before Israel election, but his leading opponent, centrist former military Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, praised Trump as 'a true friend of Israel'.
US President Donald Trump has come with a friendship that has never existed before between an Israeli prime minister and an American president. And it is doubtful we will ever have such a friendly president again.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister
Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started!
Donald Trump, US President
I value his efforts and his commitment to Israel’s security, and I am confident that he will work in full cooperation with any leader chosen by the people.
Gadi Eisenkot, Centrist former military Chief of Staff
