Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, was in the spotlight on Monday with the support of Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, as elections approach closely. Trump predicted in a phone call that Netanyahu would achieve a great victory and hinted at a possible joint attack on Iran.
Support and Discussion Between Netanyahu and Trump
One day after Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu for the October 27 elections, the Israeli Prime Minister released a video of a phone call in which the two right-wing leaders praised each other. Trump said during the call: "I think you will have a tremendous victory." Netanyahu, referring to this support, said: "We have work to do. Together we will finish it, and no one else can do it."
Political Challenges and International Support
Netanyahu, recognized as Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister, has been waiting for years for a US President who would agree to an attack on Iran. However, Trump suddenly changed his course last April and signed a ceasefire agreement with Iran that is now collapsing. Polls indicate that Trump's approval rating in Israel has significantly decreased.
David Makovsky, a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, stated that the impact of Trump's support on Israelis is unclear, and Netanyahu is a polarizing figure who is liked by some and disliked by others. He asked: "How many people are still undecided? Not that many."
This support was announced by Trump amid tensions among senior US officials. Vice President J.D. Vance has harshly criticized Israel due to the Iran war, stating that the country has no friends other than the United States and must align with US policies.
Makovsky added that Trump's action may indicate an agreement he has obtained from Netanyahu in exchange for this support, although it is unclear what this agreement would entail.
The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported, which was denied by the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, that the Trump administration pressured Netanyahu to form a government that would no longer include his right-wing allies. These allies support extremists residing in the West Bank and call for the expulsion of all Palestinians from Gaza.
According to this newspaper, a new and more moderate government could help normalize relations between Israel and more Arab and Islamic countries. Netanyahu referred to the expansion of the Abraham Accords in his call with Trump, in which the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco normalized relations with Israel in 2020.
Netanyahu described Trump as "definitely the greatest friend of Israel." Since his first term, Trump has taken several major actions to support Israel, including moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, which most countries do not recognize as Israel's capital.
Netanyahu's main challenge in this election is Gadi Eisenkot, the former commander of the Israeli army, who, despite Trump's support, expressed his respect for him and said: "Only Israelis can choose their leader."
Trump and Netanyahu have formed a close partnership at a time when both have little popularity in the public opinion of most democratic countries. Both have also managed to evade legal prosecution while in power, while Netanyahu faces corruption charges that could land him in prison.
Trump, who is upset about his cases including his efforts to overturn the 2020 election loss, told Netanyahu in a conversation: "You are a fighter. You have been unfairly judged by your country and some others." Netanyahu is also facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity due to Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza.
