Trump: My endorsement helped Netanyahu a lot in the Israeli elections
Agencies2 min read
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US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu helped him "a lot" in the parliamentary elections held on Tuesday, at a time when preliminary results showed a very close race between Netanyahu's camp and his rival Gadi Eisenkot, without securing the majority necessary to form a government.
Trump added, in remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One regarding the impact of his support for Netanyahu: "I think the endorsement when it was announced helped him a lot."
Trump had reposted a comment on his "Truth Social" account, which suggested that his endorsement of Netanyahu changed the balance of the Israeli elections and turned the prospect of a decisive defeat into a tie or even a victory.
The comment attributed to Irving C. Schwartz, which Trump reposted, stated that "when President Trump announced his endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu, the balance of things changed completely," adding that the result was now heading toward "a big tie after coming from behind, or even a win for Netanyahu," instead of a decisive defeat.
The comment indicated that this shift came after Trump announced his support for Netanyahu, considering that the US President only wants what is in the interest of the Middle East, Israel, and the United States.
Trump had announced his full support for Netanyahu on October 18, nine days before the Israeli elections, describing him as a "great warrior prime minister" and calling on Israelis to vote for him.
Trump renewed his support for Netanyahu shortly before the elections, emphasizing the need to continue their joint work, especially regarding Iran.
Exit polls and preliminary vote counting results showed a very close race between Netanyahu's camp and the camp led by Eisenkot, with neither securing the parliamentary majority required to form a government, which is 61 seats out of 120 in the Knesset.
Vote counting is still ongoing, amid anticipation of the final results that will determine the parliamentary balance of power and the chances of forming the next Israeli government.
