Donald Trump, the President of the United States, announced his support for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, on Sunday, just days before the Israeli general elections. Trump wrote in his post on the social media platform Truth Social: "Benjamin Netanyahu is a great Prime Minister and an excellent partner in the effort to confront the Islamic Republic of Iran."
The Impact of Trump's Support on the Elections
Trump's support for Netanyahu comes at a time when Netanyahu is facing serious criticism from his opponents, particularly regarding his inability to restore regional security after the war with the terrorist group Hamas. Netanyahu is under pressure due to domestic challenges, including his corruption case. In explaining his support, Trump told Axios that he has always wanted to support Netanyahu because "we have a good relationship and will continue to do great things together."
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Netanyahu's Political Status and His Rivals
The Israeli general elections will be held on October 27, and polls indicate that Netanyahu is competing against the Yesh Atid party led by Gadi Eisenkot, the former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. Eisenkot, whose son and nephew lost their lives in the Gaza war, is considered one of Netanyahu's serious critics. However, some polls show that the Yesh Atid party is closing in on Netanyahu's Likud party.
In a video he posted on social media, Netanyahu thanked his "dear friend, Donald" and said he feels "proud" and "honored" by his support. He also noted that the United States is "lucky" to have Trump in the fight against Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The history of friendship and cooperation between Netanyahu and Trump dates back to before Trump's presidency. Since entering the White House and during his second term, Trump immediately met with Netanyahu and supported him. The two have collaborated on various issues, including attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, although there have been some disagreements between them in recent months.
Political analysts believe that Trump's support could have an impact on the elections, although public trust in Trump among Israelis has declined. Some polls indicate that most Israelis consider Trump a great friend of Israel, but trust in him has gradually decreased.
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