{
  "id": 1519683,
  "title": "Mamdani, not Trump, may be Netanyahu’s more useful campaign asset - analysis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/mamdani-not-trump-may-be-netanyahus-more-useful-campaign-asset",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T17:04:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-905804"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the 2019 Israeli election, massive billboards featured smiling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shaking hands with former US President Donald Trump, signaling his diplomatic connections and enhanced standing. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei were also included in posters, but Netanyahu's appeal was rooted in his relationships with world leaders rather than fear of their enemies.\n\nIn the 2026 election, billboards now feature Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem alongside Netanyahu, emphasizing the hostile environment Israel faces and the need to defeat these opponents. This shift in messaging reflects a fundamental change in Netanyahu's appeal.\n\nTrump's reluctance to endorse Netanyahu during his US presidential campaigns may have contributed to the Likud party's shift in strategy. Instead of showcasing Trump as a supporter, they now feature enemies who want Netanyahu to lose. The inclusion of Mamdani, a symbol of anti-Israel politics in the West, highlights the danger the Likud perceives in these political currents.\n\nMamdani's endorsement of Netanyahu serves as a symbolic tool, appealing to the hard-right base essential for the Likud's success. While Trump's endorsement may not guarantee a decisive victory, its impact on Israeli public opinion could still play a role. However, public concern about Trump's handling of Iran and restrictions in Lebanon and Gaza has decreased in recent years, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of such an endorsement.",
  "summary": "From Trump and Modi to Khamenei and Mamdani, Netanyahu’s campaign billboards reveal a striking shift in the political appeal he is selling to Israeli voters.",
  "key_points": [
    "Netanyahu's 2026 campaign focuses on enemies, not Trump endorsement",
    "Mamdani, anti-Israel symbol, becomes key asset in new strategy",
    "Trump's past reluctance to endorse Netanyahu influences campaign shift"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}