Netanyahu highlights Trump endorsement ahead of Israeli election

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video of a phone call with President Donald Trump on Monday, highlighting the U.S. leader’s support ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election, according to The Korea Times. Trump predicted a Netanyahu victory during the conversation.

The endorsement puts the leaders’ partnership in focus during a closely contested election, even as disagreements over Iran strain relations. Its effect on voters remains uncertain, with an analyst cited by The Korea Times saying few Israelis have yet to choose a side.

The Korea Times reported that Netanyahu appeared to be calling from an air force base, with Trump speaking over a speakerphone. Netanyahu said the leaders still had work to complete concerning Iran and raised the prospect of expanding the Abraham Accords.

The accords led to normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco in 2020, according to the newspaper. The call presented further cooperation as unfinished business for the leaders.

Their exchange came against the backdrop of the Iran war. The Korea Times reported that the United States took part in Israeli attacks on Iran in late February and that Trump reached a ceasefire with Iran in April. His approval rating in Israel fell after that agreement, the newspaper reported.

Vice President JD Vance criticized Israel over the war and said it needed to align with U.S. policy, according to The Korea Times. The newspaper also cited an Israel Hayom report that the Trump administration wanted Netanyahu to build a government excluding his far-right allies. Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, denied that report.

David Makovsky, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the endorsement’s electoral effect was unclear because Netanyahu divides voters and few remain undecided, The Korea Times reported. Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and Netanyahu’s leading electoral challenger, expressed respect for Trump but said the choice of leader belonged to Israelis.

Netanyahu also faces corruption charges and an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, The Korea Times reported.