Israel Votes Tuesday as Trump Urges Support for Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump issued a second public endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, urging Israelis to vote for him ahead of Tuesday's election as polls show his coalition may fall short of a parliamentary majority. Trump praised Netanyahu as an "outstanding Warrior Prime Minister" on Truth Social, writing "Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started!" Reports indicate Netanyahu requested the additional backing, with a US source describing his lobbying as a "sign of desperation." Trump cited military operations against Iran and their cooperation as evidence of their relationship. Recent polls from three Israeli TV networks project Netanyahu's bloc at 50 seats in the 120-member Knesset, 17 fewer than his current coalition, while the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot is projected at 52-56 seats. Trump's endorsement follows a similar statement last Sunday warning that Netanyahu's defeat could affect US-Israel relations.