President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, throwing his support behind the longtime leader just days before Israel’s elections.
With Netanyahu’s party facing a closely contested race, Trump portrayed him as the strongest partner for the United States in confronting Iran. He also urged Israeli voters to turn out and back the prime minister.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Netanyahu as a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and a strong partner in the fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran. He pointed to Iran’s long-standing slogan, “Death to Israel, Death to America,” and said the country had threatened both Israel and the United States.
Trump argued that no country could safely ignore rhetoric of that kind, warning that such threats could eventually become actions. He said Iran had been systematically weakened militarily and financially, adding that the United States would soon “finish the job” unless Tehran rapidly changed course.
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Trump said that if Israel chose any leader other than Netanyahu, the United States would have to handle the confrontation with Iran itself—an undertaking he said he was not inclined to pursue. He praised Netanyahu as “Strong, Brave, and Brilliant” for withstanding intense opposition, including criticism from within Israel.
The former president said Netanyahu had grown stronger under pressure rather than backing down. He called that resilience the kind of leadership the United States expects from Israel, a country he said America has supported extensively, and issued his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Netanyahu’s campaign for re-election as prime minister. Trump concluded: “BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.