Trump avoids endorsing Netanyahu ahead of Israeli election: Axios

Axios has reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a major political challenge ahead of Israel’s election on October 27, as former US President Donald Trump has so far refrained from offering him public electoral support.

According to Axios, Trump was asked four times in recent weeks whether he supports Netanyahu in the upcoming election, but each time he avoided making any public endorsement. This comes as polls indicate a difficult path for Netanyahu’s coalition, amid growing differences between him and the US administration over issues related to Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon.

Axios revealed that the election was discussed during a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu in the Oval Office about two weeks ago. Trump reportedly asked the Israeli prime minister about his standing in the polls ahead of the October vote. According to a US official familiar with the conversation, Netanyahu paused before one of his advisers interjected, telling Trump: "Mr. President, he’s winning."

Some of Trump’s associates had expected, in the early weeks of the conflict with Iran, that the former US president would announce his support for Netanyahu—especially since Trump had previously called publicly for a pardon to end Netanyahu’s corruption trial. However, the situation has changed over time.

Axios cited senior US officials as saying that while Trump still personally admires Netanyahu, he has become frustrated with some of his decisions and policies.