Netanyahu presses Trump for endorsements as US signals openness to any Israeli government

Two days before Israel's elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is intensifying pressure on US President Donald Trump for additional public endorsements, with American sources describing his efforts as showing "political desperation." Trump has already given Netanyahu a "complete and total endorsement" last week. US State Department officials signaled readiness to work with any Israeli government formed after the elections, emphasizing continued cooperation on shared priorities like regional normalization. Netanyahu reportedly spoke with Trump twice in three days, suggesting specific wording for endorsements and proposing Trump speak with Israeli journalists. Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Netanyahu, and some Trump advisers believe a different Israeli government could ease advancing US diplomatic goals in the Middle East. Polls project Netanyahu's Likud party losing up to 17 seats, with Gadi Eisenkot's party leading.