J.D. Vance, the U.S. Vice President, on Monday refused to support Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, for re-election. This decision was announced one day after former President Donald Trump publicly supported Netanyahu, who is in a critical situation.
Vance's Position on the Israeli Elections
In an interview, when asked whether he intends to support Netanyahu, he said: "I support American candidates, and my focus is on the midterm elections, so I will not interfere in the Israeli elections." He also emphasized that "he neither supports Netanyahu nor specifically rejects him."
Read more: Qatar's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Warns of the Risk of World War III
Vance's position is in complete contrast to Trump's support, who has declared his "full and total" support for Netanyahu and described him as a "great warrior." Trump stated: "If Israel has the wrong leader, which is anyone but Bibi [Netanyahu], America will have to do it itself, and I don't want to do that."
Israeli Elections and Criticism of Netanyahu
The upcoming Israeli elections are seen as a referendum on Netanyahu, who has faced severe criticism due to his management of the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, against Israel. The recent war between Israel and Hamas has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Additionally, Netanyahu's government is under intense pressure due to reports of settler violence against Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank.
On the eve of the elections, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel to meet with Netanyahu. The Pentagon declined to comment on this matter. Efforts have also been made to reach out to the Israeli embassy and Netanyahu's office.
Vance stated at a press conference at the White House: "Donald J. Trump is the only president in the world who has sympathy for the nation of Israel at this time. And he is the president of the world's superpower." He also added: "If I were in the Israeli government cabinet, I might not attack my only strong ally in the world."
While Vance has emphasized that his focus is on American candidates, he has previously campaigned actively in foreign elections. For example, he traveled to Hungary in April and supported Viktor Orbán, the Prime Minister of Hungary.
In February 2025, Vance also met with Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right party in Germany (AfD). He criticized the state of freedom of speech in Europe at the Munich Security Conference, stating: "Democracy is based on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters. There is no place for walls."
Read more: Pezeshkian Will Develop Strategic Cooperation Between Iran and Russia · Trump Comments on Suspicious Cases of Russian Plague
