Trump and Netanyahu’s once blossoming bromance sours at a pivotal moment for both men

Trump and Netanyahu’s Once-Close Alliance Faces a Test

Activelifezero.com – Trump and Netanyahu’s once-close political alliance has become a source of uncertainty as Israel approaches its October 27 election. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is again appearing on billboards across the country, but one image that was once central to his campaigns is largely absent: Donald Trump.

Previous campaign advertisements showed Netanyahu alongside Trump with the slogan “A different league,” portraying the Israeli leader’s relationship with Washington as a major political advantage. While some Likud videos still include Trump, the renewed billboard campaign does not feature him.

The shift reflects a more public strain between the two leaders. Trump has not endorsed Netanyahu and has repeatedly declined to say whether he wants the Israeli prime minister to win another term.

“I’m not involved in [Israeli] politics anymore,” Trump told Time earlier this month.

Trump Avoids an Election Endorsement

In a Thursday interview with Newsmax, Trump said Netanyahu wanted him involved in the campaign. He described their past relationship as “very good,” but did not offer an endorsement. When asked whether he trusted Netanyahu, Trump gave a wider response about politics.

“I don’t trust anybody in the world of politics.”

Trump and Netanyahu’s once-reliable campaign connection matters because it helped Netanyahu present himself as a leader with exceptional influence in the United States. Trump’s support for Netanyahu dates to 2013, when he released a video urging Israeli voters to “vote for Benjamin.”

During Trump’s first presidency, several major events provided Netanyahu with powerful campaign imagery. In March 2019, about two weeks before an Israeli election, Netanyahu joined Trump in Washington as the US president signed a proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights.

In January 2020, five weeks before another Israeli vote, Trump unveiled his proposed Israeli-Palestinian peace framework, commonly known as the “Deal of the Century,” with Netanyahu at his side. Those appearances reinforced their image of close personal and political alignment.

Why the Relationship Has Changed

This election season has offered no similarly visible display of unity. Netanyahu’s August White House visit was not open to cameras, and the two men did not meet when Netanyahu traveled to New York for the UN General Assembly in September.

The relationship has faced pressure over regional conflict and diplomacy. Netanyahu has taken actions in Lebanon and Gaza that angered Trump and complicated peace efforts led by the US president.

Trump has privately criticized Netanyahu in calls, raising concerns about the destruction of apartment buildings in Lebanon and warning that the conflict involving Iran could contribute to a broader global economic downturn. He has also cautioned that Israeli actions could weaken support among Americans.

Inside the White House, some officials have viewed Netanyahu’s choices in the context of Israel’s approaching election. Over the summer, several advisers concluded that Netanyahu was seeking to extend the Iran war in ways that could strengthen his political position.

Trump has allowed Netanyahu some flexibility amid those domestic pressures, but his frustration has grown over actions he sees as conflicting with US interests. As a result, Trump and Netanyahu’s once-effective political partnership no longer offers Netanyahu the clear electoral benefit it did in earlier campaigns.

What This Means for Israeli Voters

Trump’s reluctance may also reflect Netanyahu’s difficult polling position. The US president has often avoided endorsing candidates he believes may lose, and he has questioned Netanyahu about the election and his prospects in recent months.

For Israeli voters, the absence of a Trump endorsement does not decide the election. It does, however, remove a familiar symbol from Netanyahu’s campaign: the public display of a close relationship with a US president.

FAQ: Trump, Netanyahu and Israel’s Election

Why is Trump missing from Netanyahu’s new billboards? Trump has not endorsed Netanyahu’s reelection bid, and the relationship has become more strained over disagreements involving regional conflict and diplomacy.

When is Israel’s election? Israel is scheduled to hold its election on October 27.

Did Trump previously support Netanyahu? Yes. Trump urged Israelis to vote for Netanyahu in a 2013 video and appeared with him at major events before Israeli elections in 2019 and 2020.

Does Trump’s position determine the Israeli election? No. Israeli voters determine the result, although Trump’s public support was previously a valuable political asset for Netanyahu.