{ "id": 16492015, "title": "Scoop: Netanyahu presses Trump for more support ahead of tight Tuesday election", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/scoop-netanyahu-presses-trump-for-more-support-ahead-of-tight-tuesday", "topic": "world", "section": "World", "published": "2026-10-25T14:44:35.000Z", "source": { "name": "Axios", "slug": "axios", "url": "https://www.axios.com/2026/10/25/netanyahu-trump-israeli-elections" }, "original_language": "en", "account": "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is intensifying his efforts to secure additional backing from President Trump ahead of Israel's closely contested election on Tuesday. According to U.S. and Israeli sources, Netanyahu has been in contact with the president over the past few days, urging him to lend more public support to his campaign.\n\nThe U.S. source noted that the White House views Netanyahu's persistent lobbying as a \"sign of desperation,\" suggesting he believes he is trailing in the polls. However, Netanyahu's spokesperson, Neta Molcho, denied that the prime minister requested Trump's support in recent days or before his public endorsement.\n\nTrump previously stated in an interview that individuals in Israel approached him to assist Netanyahu. Behind the scenes, Netanyahu reportedly engaged in multiple conversations with Trump in the last three days, requesting he amplify his endorsement posted on Truth Social last week. Additionally, Netanyahu suggested that Trump initiate calls with Israeli journalists to further demonstrate support.\n\nAfter weeks of uncertainty, Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, explicitly warning that a defeat could have repercussions for U.S.-Israel relations. Despite having no prior personal connections with the other candidates, Trump and Netanyahu have developed a complex relationship.\n\nRecent pre-election polls from three major Israeli television networks revealed that Netanyahu's coalition is projected to fall short of a parliamentary majority, with just 50 seats for his bloc in the 120-member Knesset – 17 fewer than his current coalition holds. Meanwhile, an opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is expected to secure 52 to 56 seats, while two Arab Israeli parties could capture 14 to 16 seats.\n\nWhile some U.S. officials see the endorsement as a mutually beneficial arrangement, with Trump potentially garnering political capital if Netanyahu remains in power and still having leverage if his rival wins, his advisers express potential opportunities for advancing their Middle East agenda under an alternative Israeli government.", "summary": "TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — fighting for political survival in Tuesday's elections — has pleaded with President Trump in recent days to show more public support for his campaign, according to a U.S. source with knowledge and an Israeli source briefed on the matter. Why it matters: The U.S. source said the White House sees Netanyahu's aggressive lobbying as a…", "key_points": [], "editors_take": null, "illustration": null, "coverage": { "outlets": 10, "also_reported_by": [ { "outlet": "The Times of Israel", "title": "Election panel chair allows meeting of police chief, Netanyahu, Ben Gvir, over AG objection", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/election-panel-chair-allows-meeting-of-police-chief-netanyahu-ben", "published": "2026-10-25T12:04:27.000Z" }, { "outlet": "CBS News", "title": "Israeli election to test Benjamin Netanyahu's ability to hold power", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/israeli-election-to-test-benjamin-netanyahus-ability-to-hold-power-16479276", "published": "2026-10-25T13:25:18.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Haaretz", "title": "Israeli student leader's Netanyahu interview canceled after staff veto questions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/israeli-student-leaders-netanyahu-interview-canceled-after-staff-veto", "published": "2026-10-25T13:59:32.000Z" }, { "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald", "title": "Desperate Netanyahu goes nuclear in bid to stay in power. Next step could be war with Iran", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/desperate-netanyahu-goes-nuclear-in-bid-to-stay-in-power-next-step", "published": "2026-10-25T15:21:28.000Z" }, { "outlet": "The Age", "title": "Desperate Netanyahu goes nuclear in bid to stay in power. Next step could be war with Iran", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/desperate-netanyahu-goes-nuclear-in-bid-to-stay-in-power-next-step-16491955", "published": "2026-10-25T15:21:28.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News", "title": "Netanyahu warns Iran: 'Do not test us' ahead of elections", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/netanyahu-warns-iran-do-not-test-us-ahead-of-elections", "published": "2026-10-25T16:16:13.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Business Recorder", "title": "Netanyahu warns Iran may try to disrupt election, says 'don't test us'", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/netanyahu-warns-iran-may-try-to-disrupt-election-says-dont-test-us", "published": "2026-10-25T16:27:38.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Ajel English", "title": "Netanyahu warns Iran or proxies may target Israeli elections", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/netanyahu-warns-iran-or-proxies-may-target-israeli-elections", "published": "2026-10-25T16:48:06.000Z" }, { "outlet": "South China Morning Post", "title": "Netanyahu warns Iran may try to disrupt election, says ‘don’t test us’", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/netanyahu-warns-iran-may-try-to-disrupt-election-says-dont-test-us-16504024", "published": "2026-10-25T17:29:00.000Z" } ] }, "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." }