Updated

Donald Trump publicly endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection on October 19, 2026, eight days before Israel's October 27 vote, and the two leaders held a warm phone call in which Trump predicted a Netanyahu win and both suggested resuming joint strikes on Iran. Netanyahu thanked Trump and vowed to 'finish the job,' while US Senator Bernie Sanders and Israeli opposition leaders criticized the endorsement, with analysts noting it breaks from longstanding American practice of avoiding explicit involvement in foreign elections; Vice President JD Vance notably declined to join the endorsement.