Trump endorses Netanyahu for re-election as Israeli PM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election, nine days before Israel's parliamentary elections.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he was giving Netanyahu his "Complete and Total Endorsement" in the upcoming election.

Trump described Netanyahu as a "Great Warrior Prime Minister" and a key U.S. partner in confronting Iran, saying that the United States might have to handle the task itself if Netanyahu were not re-elected.

"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 wrote.

Netanyahu thanked Trump for his support in a post on X.

Trump told U.S. news outlet Axios in a phone interview on Sunday that he had begun planning the endorsement earlier this week.

Asked whether he could work with another Israeli leader, Trump said: "Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Who wants to take the chance?"

Israel is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on Oct. 27, the country's first national vote since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

Trump's endorsement came as Netanyahu faces a closely contested election. Most polls show his coalition falling short of the 61 seats needed to form a government, according to Axios.