Trump offers ‘warrior’ Netanyahu ‘complete and total endorsement’ for reelection

President Donald Trump's endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Truth Social shortly after the US leader's remarks on Sunday. Netanyahu's campaign team swiftly released a 30-second clip highlighting Trump's praise for the Israeli leader in the past. With polls indicating Netanyahu's governing coalition is struggling in the upcoming Oct.

27 election and trailing the opposition, Trump's endorsement carries significant weight. However, political analysts question whether it is enough to swing the election.

According to Ilana Shpaizman, a political studies lecturer at Bar-Ilan University, "I don't think it will change anything." Netanyahu's supporters already regard him as a strong leader and believe in his abilities, so an endorsement from Trump holds little new sway. Opponents, on the other hand, view the endorsement as a result of Trump's efforts to prevent Iran from dominating the region. Should Netanyahu lose the election, this could be a scenario in which Trump's influence plays a role.

Some pundits criticized Trump for "interfering" in Israel's election, arguing that his endorsement could signal his desire to avoid a repeat of the Iran conflict if Netanyahu, a hawk on Iran, were replaced by a less interventionist leader. Bushinsky, a political commentator and former Netanyahu adviser, noted that Netanyahu has previously expressed concerns about US intervention in elections and even pushed for measures to restrict foreign funding for campaigns.

Now, he sees the endorsement as beneficial in two ways: first, it signals Trump's confidence in Netanyahu's leadership, and second, it reinvigorates Netanyahu's campaign by focusing on the critical issue of Iran.

While Bushinsky believes the endorsement serves as an "ultimate campaign boost," it may not be sufficient to tip the scales. In recent polls, the opposition bloc led by former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot has narrowed the gap with Netanyahu's coalition, but neither party appears to secure the 61 of 120 seats required in Israel's parliament (Knesset) to form the next government.

Prof. Tamar Hermann, director of the Israel Democracy Institute's Viterbi Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research, contends that the timing of Trump's support is both "too late and too early." While some voters might shift their preferences slightly, the endorsement is unlikely to sway the overall electorate, especially as other American leaders express doubts about Trump's stance.

Hermann concludes that the endorsement will "strengthen Netanyahu's political supporters" but ultimately fail to change the minds of most voters.