The Israeli government is set to hold parliamentary elections on October 27, and polls indicate that neither Benjamin Netanyahu nor his rivals will be able to secure the 61 seats needed to form a coalition. Meanwhile, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has announced his full support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump's Support for Netanyahu
Trump wrote on his account on "Truth Social": "Let this letter represent my complete and total support for Bibi Netanyahu." He described Netanyahu as a "great warrior Prime Minister" and praised him for his role in the war against Iran. Trump also stated: "Bibi Netanyahu will never let you down!"
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Netanyahu thanked Trump for his "tremendous support" and said that if he is not re-elected, the United States will be left alone in the war against Iran. Trump also referenced slogans shouted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard calling for the death of the United States and Israel, labeling the two countries as "the Great Satan and the Little Satan."
Upcoming Elections and Challenges
The war between Israel, the United States, and Iran began in February and has led to the blockage of some global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Gadi Eisenkot, Netanyahu's main rival, reacted to Trump's support by stating that only the people of Israel are the decision-makers in choosing the country's leader. At an event in Tel Aviv, he appreciated Trump's "great contribution" to Israel's security and emphasized that Israel is a democratic country.
This is not the first time Netanyahu's election campaign has used Trump's support to boost its international credibility. In 2019, Netanyahu's Likud party released billboards featuring images of him shaking hands with Trump and Vladimir Putin, portraying Netanyahu as a leader from a "different league."
Netanyahu, the longest-serving Prime Minister in Israeli history, faces criticism from the Israeli community for his failure to predict and prevent the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas and its affiliates. This attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis. Netanyahu has refused to establish a government inquiry with the power to summon ministers and officials for testimony, instead calling for a commission with lesser powers.
The war in Gaza, which began after this attack, is also a contentious issue, resulting in the deaths of around 74,000 Palestinians. Despite repeated promises of "total victory" after the war began, opponents' supporters believe that Netanyahu has failed to fulfill these promises, while Hamas still controls many areas of the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu and his coalition partners have also pledged to support what they termed "deliberate migration" of Gaza residents while increasing Israel's control over its territories in the West Bank, which is widely considered illegal under international law.
Other key issues in the Israeli elections include military service for ultra-Orthodox youth, the cost of living, and Israel's international status.
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