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US President Donald Trump has given his backing to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s national election next week. His endorsement came hours after Netanyahu, who is fighting to hold on as Israel’s leader, warned that the country could face a hostile US administration after Trump’s term in office ends, saying it could suspend military aid or join international sanctions against the Jewish state.
Publicly endorsing Netanyahu’s re-election bid – offering the prime minister boost ahead of the closely contested vote next Tuesday – Trump described the Likud Party leader as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and “an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
“If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, “America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so.”
Last week, polling suggested that Yashar Party leader Gadi Eisenkot was the most likely contender to win the election.
Eisenkot’s party had opened up a “big lead” on Netanyahu’s Likud, according to the polling from Israeli news site Zman Yisrael and the Times of Israel.
Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support, responding: “Together we will complete the mission!”
Earlier yesterday, presenting his national security doctrine, Netanyahu said: “In two years, a president, man or woman, could come to power who is very hostile to Israel.
“How would you deal with that? How would you operate in relation to the United States? And beyond that, what solutions would be necessary?”
Netanyahu said Israel must use the remaining two years of Trump’s term to strengthen the countries’ relationship while preparing for a possible change in Washington.
“We must do everything we can during these two years, and during the following two years, in the American arena, through good times and bad,” he said.
He also called for Israel to broaden its international partnerships, pointing to India and countries in Latin America as potential allies.
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