Vance Declines To Endorse Netanyahu Despite Trump's Support
2 days ago
Vice President JD Vance is declining to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, taking a different approach from President Donald Trump, who publicly backed the Israeli leader over the weekend.
During an interview with journalist Mark Halperin aboard Air Force Two, Vance was asked whether he supported Netanyahu's reelection bid.
"I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him," Vance said.
The vice president's comments come after Trump issued a strong endorsement of Netanyahu on Sunday in a Truth Social post addressed to the "Great People of Israel."
Trump praised Netanyahu's leadership and argued that keeping him in office was important to American interests in the region.
"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.
The president's endorsement comes ahead of Israel's upcoming election and follows months of tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over regional security and diplomatic efforts.
Trump and Netanyahu have maintained a close political relationship, particularly regarding Iran and Israel's national security. However, disagreements have emerged over Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, including actions that have complicated U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives.
Despite those differences, Trump has continued to publicly support Netanyahu and his leadership.
Vance, meanwhile, has stopped short of expressing either support or opposition to the Israeli prime minister's candidacy.
His comments do not necessarily signal a disagreement with Trump over U.S. policy toward Israel, but they highlight a difference in how the two administration officials are approaching the upcoming election.
Israeli voters elect members of the Knesset, the country's parliament, rather than directly choosing a prime minister. The next government will depend on which political parties can form a governing coalition.
For now, Trump has made his preferred candidate clear, while Vance has chosen not to take a public position on Netanyahu's reelection bid.
During an interview with journalist Mark Halperin aboard Air Force Two, Vance was asked whether he supported Netanyahu's reelection bid.
"I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him," Vance said.
The vice president's comments come after Trump issued a strong endorsement of Netanyahu on Sunday in a Truth Social post addressed to the "Great People of Israel."
Trump praised Netanyahu's leadership and argued that keeping him in office was important to American interests in the region.
"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.
The president's endorsement comes ahead of Israel's upcoming election and follows months of tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over regional security and diplomatic efforts.
Trump and Netanyahu have maintained a close political relationship, particularly regarding Iran and Israel's national security. However, disagreements have emerged over Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, including actions that have complicated U.S.-led diplomatic initiatives.
Despite those differences, Trump has continued to publicly support Netanyahu and his leadership.
Vance, meanwhile, has stopped short of expressing either support or opposition to the Israeli prime minister's candidacy.
His comments do not necessarily signal a disagreement with Trump over U.S. policy toward Israel, but they highlight a difference in how the two administration officials are approaching the upcoming election.
Israeli voters elect members of the Knesset, the country's parliament, rather than directly choosing a prime minister. The next government will depend on which political parties can form a governing coalition.
For now, Trump has made his preferred candidate clear, while Vance has chosen not to take a public position on Netanyahu's reelection bid.
