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Trump endorses Netanyahu days before Israeli election, warns US could face Iran alone if PM loses
Jerusalem Post ^ | 10/18/2026 | Richard Offenbacher

Posted on 10/18/2026 10:14:05 AM PDT by thegagline

US President Donald Trump endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, nine days before Israel's October 27 election, praising his leadership and warning that the United States would have to confront Iran without Israel's support if Netanyahu were replaced, he said in a Truth Social post on Sunday.

"To the great people of Israel," Trump began, "Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combating the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its 51-year-old chant, “Death to Israel, Death to America! We will destroy the Little Satan and the Big Satan."

The endorsement marks a reversal from Trump's position during a Newsmax interview on Thursday, when he refused to endorse any candidate, including Netanyahu.

***

"If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so."

Trump praised Netanyahu as "Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself," ***

"Despite all of that, he has endured and, in fact, he has thrived! I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times. Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure - But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today."

Trump went on to describe Netanyahu as "the kind of partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a country for which it has done so much."

***

"Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Thank you for your attention to this matter."

(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Hamas; Hezbollah; Iran; Israel; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror; Yemen
KEYWORDS: benjaminnetanyahu; dnctroll; election; endorsement; fakepoll; hamas; hezbollah; iran; irgc; israel; netanyahu; phonypost; tdstroll; trump; waronterror; yemen
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This should help galvanize support for Netanyahu… and opposition to re-electing Netanyahu.

According to recent polls, Netanyahu’s outgoing coalition averages 50.6 seats in the latest polls—10 short of a majority. The vote is in 9 days. Polling data from February 11, 2026:

73% of Israelis rate Trump as a better-than-average US president in terms of Israel’s interests, with 49% describing him as one of the best in history for Israel.

“Ninety-two percent of the Israeli right believed Trump’s presidency was above average (including 73% who said he was one of the best presidents), whereas only 34% of the Israeli left held positive views of him.”

However, that support has collapsed since February:

A June poll found that 71% do not trust Trump to protect Israeli interests in a deal with Iran, and 67% believe his policies are bad for Israel. A July survey by the Jewish People Policy Institute found that only 7% have a “great deal of trust” that he will do the right thing on US-Israel relations.para A go-to site for tracking Israel election polls:

**https://www.israel.com/israel-election-2026**

Let’s hope that Netanyahu and his coalition win in the upcoming election.

1 posted on 10/18/2026 10:14:05 AM PDT by thegagline
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To: thegagline
Well OK, but the USA is still facing Iran. Or more precisely the Islamic Republic regime.

Has been since 1979. Will continue to do so as long as the Islamic Republic regime continues to exist.

I'm not against Israel, but I don't like being dependent on any foreign power, however friendly.

2 posted on 10/18/2026 10:21:55 AM PDT by Salman (It's not a slippery slope if it was part of the program all along.)
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To: thegagline

“US could face Iran alone if PM loses...”

No better endorsement than, “Hey, vote for the other guy and the Americans will fight that war for you.”


3 posted on 10/18/2026 10:24:04 AM PDT by Round Earther
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To: thegagline
Grok:

No one can say with certainty who will win—the election is on October 27, 2026 (in about nine days), and current polls show a tight, fragmented race with neither major bloc consistently reaching a majority.​
Israelgazette
Israel elects its 120-seat Knesset by proportional representation (nationwide party lists, 3.25% threshold ≈ 4 seats). A government needs at least 61 seats. About 38 lists are running; only around 11–12 are expected to enter. Official results are expected around November 4, after which the president consults parties and tasks a candidate (usually from a larger list or viable bloc) with forming a coalition.​
Israelgazette
Latest polling picture (as of mid-October 2026)
Yashar (led by former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot) and Likud (Benjamin Netanyahu) are the two largest parties, often near 20–26 seats each. Yashar leads or ties in most recent surveys; some right-leaning polls (e.g., Channel 14) put Likud ahead.​

Timesofisrael
Other notable parties: B’Yachad (Naftali Bennett/Yair Lapid area, ~11–13), Democrats (Yair Golan, ~8–10), Yisrael Beiteinu (Avigdor Liberman, ~8–9), Shas and United Torah Judaism (~7–10 each), Otzma Yehudit (Itamar Ben-Gvir, ~7–9), Religious Zionism/Zehut (~6), Joint List and Ra’am (Arab parties, combined ~12–14), plus smaller lists near the threshold (e.g., Reservists).​
Thepetek

Blocs: The outgoing Netanyahu-aligned bloc (Likud + religious/right partners) and the Zionist opposition (Yashar + B’Yachad + Democrats + Yisrael Beiteinu, etc.) both average roughly 50–55 seats in recent aggregates—short of 61. Neither side has a clear path to a stable majority without deals involving smaller parties, independents, or (more controversially) Arab lists.​
Israel

Polls vary by outlet and have margins of error; some right-leaning surveys give Netanyahu's side a better chance of reaching or nearing 61, while others favor the opposition. Israeli polls have historically missed by several seats, and late swings, turnout, threshold effects, and surplus-vote agreements can change outcomes.
What happens next
After the vote, coalition talks will decide the next prime minister. Possibilities include a Netanyahu-led right/religious government (if numbers and partners align), an Eisenkot-led or broader opposition/“change” government, a national-unity arrangement, or prolonged deadlock (which has happened before in Israel). Key issues shaping the vote include security and the aftermath of October 7 2023 and subsequent wars, accountability for intelligence/military failures, the ultra-Orthodox draft, judicial/political reforms, and the ongoing Gaza/West Bank situation.​
Crisisgroup

In short: the race is too close and the system too fragmented for a reliable prediction of a single “winner.” The real outcome will be determined by seat totals plus post-election bargaining.

4 posted on 10/18/2026 10:26:43 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: Round Earther
“US could face Iran alone if PM loses...” No better endorsement than, “Hey, vote for the other guy and the Americans will fight that war for you.”

Despite sleeping 5 hours last night (I normally sleep about 2 1/2 to 4 hours a night) and having three cups of strong Italian coffee, I didn’t think of that. Thank you for your post.

5 posted on 10/18/2026 10:30:26 AM PDT by thegagline (If you hate Christians, Vote Talarico. Sic semper tyrannis! Zeldin for President )
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To: thegagline

For all the nonsense that Trump and BiBi hate each other, Trump could have stayed out of this and not gotten involved but by endorsing BiBi it shows they do have a good relationship, maybe not a great one but good enough


6 posted on 10/18/2026 10:38:10 AM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: thegagline

Actually l think that is a ridiculous take.


7 posted on 10/18/2026 10:39:06 AM PDT by gibsonguy
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To: thegagline

I still like Trump, even though he endorsed Bibi. Bibi, once the war is finished, should retire. But I’m not voting for him, even this year with the war on. Churchill got voted out right after he won his war.


8 posted on 10/18/2026 10:47:09 AM PDT by Eleutheria5 (Politicians do not tell people the truth. They tell people what they want to hear--Thomas Sowell)
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To: Salman

I’m with you on this one.


9 posted on 10/18/2026 10:54:04 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: Round Earther

Most Israeli’s are not that stupid.

They know Iran is behind the Houthis and Hezbollah. They get that the US is the glue keeping the Middle East together and somewhat functional. They understand that the little bit of cooperation that exists between Israel and Jordan/Saudi Arabia/Egypt/UAE is largely because of the US. They also understand that we support them financially, politically, and militarily. Finally they get that we are the ones with the big guns. We have military capabilities that cannot get close to, not even in their most vivid wet dream and that without us they are in serious trouble.

The Israeli’s put us in a bad position because they took some things a bit to far in Gaza and Lebanon, BUT they had good reason to do so post 7 Oct and once Hezbollah got involved (everyone knew that was going to happen). On the other hand, Israel with its settlement policies (massive expansion), actions on the Temple Mount (gross violations and bragging about it: Wadi Araba Treaty) heavily provoked what happened 7 October (there is always a background story even if folks don’t want to talk about it and use phrases like “unprovoked” which is seldom the case.).

Nonetheless, Israel is the ONLY true democracy and republic (with a semblance of a rule of law) in that entire region. We have a historical connection (many Israeli’s have their roots in Europe) and even obligation to some extent to help them, borne from millennia of persecution (the West et. al.). It is an Island of Western liberal (classical meaning) society surrounded by what best can be described as savages that would cut off their heads is given a chance.

The current government in Israel both contributed to causing this conflict, and then created a PR disaster in the West, and that is something that needs dealt with, but not at the cost of damaging a US-Israel alliance or weakening the pressure on Iran.


10 posted on 10/18/2026 11:45:12 AM PDT by Red6
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To: thegagline

I love how in the public accounts of this there is no real acknowledgement that the government of Iran is Evil and must be defeated.

Instead we’re largely treated to introspective assessments of whether the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu is perfect.

IRGC can go to Hell. I hope soon.


11 posted on 10/18/2026 12:05:05 PM PDT by lonestar67 (America is exceptional)
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To: thegagline

Israel needs a fighter. Netanyahu fights. Let’s hope he finishes the fights


12 posted on 10/18/2026 12:17:31 PM PDT by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification;)
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To: All

Trump endorsing Netanyahu is in accord with American evangelicals,
as well as with Mike Huckabee currently serving as US Ambassador to Israel.

Mike Huckabee is a devout evangelical Christian, an ordained Southern Baptist pastor, he is noted for his evangelical Christian views.

He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University, served as a Christian pastor in Arkansas for 12 years, and is a former president of the Christian group, “the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.”

He now serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, having been appointed by President Donald Trump.

After being nominated by President Donald Trump, Huckabee was officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 9, 2025, in a 53–46 vote and assumed his role shortly after. He has been actively managing his diplomatic duties out of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

In October 2026, Huckabee condemned Israeli Settlers’ Violence, strongly condemning a violent West Bank settler attack that left several Palestinians dead and American photojournalist Heidi Levine injured.

Huckabee labeled the settlers’ assault a “despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards” and publicly demanded that Israeli authorities investigate, arrest, and sentence the perpetrators to years in prison.

Besides evangelical Christians, Jewish settlers are Netanyahu’s strongest supporters.


13 posted on 10/18/2026 12:33:54 PM PDT by Liz (“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies the work of His hands. " (Psalm 19:1))
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To: Red6
Israeli’s put us in a bad position because they took some things a bit to far in Gaza and Lebanon...

And I believe Israel didn’t take things far enough in Gaza and Lebanon. They should have completely wiped out Hamas and Hezbollah. If the islamists could,they would wipe out Israel.

Why is Israel the only country in the world that's never permitted to win a war and finish matters?

14 posted on 10/18/2026 12:34:25 PM PDT by Blennos (This is the official Blennos tagline. Thanks to Big Red Badger. )
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To: Red6

“Most Israeli’s are not that stupid.”

More than I can say for you. ‘bye.


15 posted on 10/18/2026 1:19:07 PM PDT by Eleutheria5 (Politicians do not tell people the truth. They tell people what they want to hear--Thomas Sowell)
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To: thegagline
""If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves"


16 posted on 10/18/2026 1:28:10 PM PDT by McGruff
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To: McGruff

If only Trump the President would introduce himself to Trump the Candidate.


17 posted on 10/18/2026 1:48:40 PM PDT by Captain Walker ("Ne illegitimi carborundum esse.")
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To: Captain Walker

So true.
I remember we peasants were told Vote for the least evil candidate. Now I look for the candidates who lie the least..


18 posted on 10/18/2026 2:29:46 PM PDT by sockmonkey (conservative. not a neocon. )
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To: Captain Walker

So true.
I remember we peasants were told Vote for the least evil candidate. Now I look for the candidates who lie the least..


19 posted on 10/18/2026 2:29:47 PM PDT by sockmonkey (conservative. not a neocon. )
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To: thegagline

And we sell high tech military hardware to SA and they are of no help and run from battle like democrat faggotFJBs!


20 posted on 10/18/2026 2:46:44 PM PDT by Harpotoo (Being a socialist is a lot easier than having to WORK like the rest of US;-))
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