Trump backs Netanyahu for re-election as Vance stays silent on Israeli vote

Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election, describing him in a social media post as a leader who "has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The endorsement comes with Israeli voters due to go to the polls within a week, and represents a significant show of support for a prime minister who has faced sustained domestic political pressure. Netanyahu has himself warned publicly of the prospect of a future American president who could prove hostile to Israel.

Vice President JD Vance, however, stopped short of echoing Trump's backing, saying he was "not getting involved in Israeli elections." His refusal to endorse Netanyahu marks a notable divergence from the president's position, even as both men remain part of the same administration.

The split between Trump and Vance drew immediate attention, underscoring the sensitivity of American figures weighing in on the vote. While Trump's post amounted to an unambiguous personal endorsement, Vance's measured distance suggests an awareness within the administration of the complications that can arise from direct intervention in a close allied nation's democratic process.