Trump declines to endorse Netanyahu ahead of Israeli elections

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — U.S. President Donald Trump declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for another term ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections, avoiding direct support for his longtime ally in an interview published Thursday.

Asked by TIME magazine whether Netanyahu should receive another term in the Oct. 27 elections, Trump sidestepped the question.

“Well, I can only say that I’m not involved in politics anymore, except that we’re popular—,” Trump said in the interview, conducted Monday.

Pressed again, Trump said his priority was helping “defend Israel,” stopping short of backing Netanyahu.

Trump instead highlighted what he described as his popularity among Israelis, claiming his approval there was “like 99%” because of his previous policies.

Asked whether Washington could work more effectively with opposition contender and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, Trump said he had not “heard bad things about him.”

However, he cautioned against underestimating Netanyahu, commonly known as Bibi.

“People have written off Bibi many, many times, just like they’ve written off me many, many times,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t underestimate Bibi.”

Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu has reportedly faced growing strains in recent months amid the Iran war and continuing Israeli attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.

The U.S. president also questioned reports that Netanyahu had received advance intelligence warnings before the Oct. 7 attacks. Trump argued that Israel would have taken preventive measures if Netanyahu had known an attack was coming.

“I think … if he would have known, he would have done something about it,” he said.

Trump says he expanded Iran war

Trump also discussed the Iran war, now in its seventh month, saying he deliberately expanded U.S. military operations beyond their initial objectives to further damage Tehran’s military and nuclear infrastructure.

“Only because I wanted to go further,” Trump said when asked why the campaign continued beyond its earlier targets. “I could have stopped there, and I felt it was just inappropriate.”

Trump acknowledged that Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz had “worked for a little while,” but claimed U.S. forces subsequently took control of the strategic waterway. Before the war began Feb. 28, roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption passed through the strait.

Trump also confirmed that he rejected an Iranian truce proposal that included reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran’s terms were “not good enough.”

Asked whether Washington could intensify airstrikes after the upcoming U.S. congressional midterm elections, Trump initially said it was “possible” before declining to elaborate.

“I can’t tell you that,” he said.