Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Oct 20: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has received a strong endorsement from US President Donald Trump ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections, while US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reportedly held an unannounced meeting with him at an Israeli airbase on Monday.
According to Axios, Hegseth met Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel. Neither the Pentagon nor the Israeli embassy had confirmed the reported visit at the time of reporting.
The reported meeting comes amid growing political uncertainty ahead of the Israeli elections and discussions between Washington and Tel Aviv over the possibility of resuming military strikes against Iran.
According to a poll tracker published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Netanyahu’s Likud-led coalition faces a closely contested election, with an opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party projected to reach the 52-seat mark in the 120-member Knesset.
Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday through a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, praising the Israeli leader’s performance despite opposition within Israel and abroad.
“Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself. Despite all of that, he has endured and, in fact, he has thrived!” Trump wrote.
The US president also referred to the possibility of further military action against Iran, claiming that previous strikes had systematically weakened the country militarily and financially.
“Unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job,” Trump warned.
The endorsement came days after Axios reported, citing two US officials, that Netanyahu was pressing Washington for another round of strikes against Iran. Discussions between the two countries were reportedly underway, with Trump telling Netanyahu to “be ready” but not committing to a timeline.
In his post, Trump described Netanyahu as the kind of partner the United States expected from Israel and declared his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of the Israeli prime minister’s re-election bid.
“BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he added.
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance has declined to endorse Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli elections.
Speaking to Hungarian media outlet 2WAY during a visit to Hungary, Vance said he did not want to get involved in Israel’s electoral contest.
“I'm not anti-endorsing him, but I'm not pro-endorsing him, I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections,” Vance said, adding that his focus remained on the upcoming US midterm elections.
Vance had endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary’s elections but declined to take a position on Netanyahu’s re-election bid.