VP Vance Declines to Endorse Netanyahu as Trump Backs Israeli PM
The Story
Vice President J.D. Vance stated Monday he would not endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, a day after President Donald Trump offered his complete and total support.
Vance told journalist Mark Halperin aboard Air Force Two that he endorses American candidates and is focused on the midterm elections, not Israeli elections. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also made an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, meeting with Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base. The meeting occurred amid reports of U.S.-Israeli discussions about potentially resuming major combat operations against Iran.
Netanyahu is facing challengers in Israel's October 27 elections, with recent polls showing Gadi Eisenkot and the Yashar party with a slight lead over Netanyahu and his Likud party, though neither faction appears to have secured a majority in the Knesset. Meanwhile, a Channel 12 poll in Israel found that most voters said Trump's endorsement would not affect their decision, with 64% stating no change, 17% less likely to back Netanyahu, and 12% more likely.
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