Trump reverses Thursday Newsmax stance with Sunday endorsement
Netanyahu has touted his relationship with Trump, telling Israeli voters his leadership is key to maintaining Washington’s backing. He warned Saturday that an Eisenkot victory would allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons.
Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday in a social media post, citing his role in the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. “Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its 51 year old chant, ‘Death to Israel, Death to America!’” Trump wrote. The endorsement reversed Trump’s Thursday interview with Newsmax, in which he declined to back any candidate in the race.
“Together we will complete the mission,” Netanyahu posted on his own social media account in response.
Recent polls show Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving premier, and his Likud party trailing Eisenkot’s Yashar party in the race for the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Neither party is near the 61 seats needed for a majority, according to surveys reported by UPI.
In a separate interview with Fox News earlier Sunday, Netanyahu framed the stakes in regional terms. “Iran will conquer the Middle East if it destroys Israel,” he said. Tehran would also control shipping routes and oil supplies before moving on to Europe, Netanyahu said. It would then proceed “to the next target, which is you.”
The Trump endorsement comes as the United States and Israel remain at war with Iran. The conflict has slowed oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, causing crude prices to surge.