Vance Withholds Netanyahu Endorsement as Trump Backs Israeli Leader

Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection campaign on Monday, October 19, 2026, diverging from President Donald Trump just days before Israel's October 27 election. Vance said he would focus on American elections, while Trump publicly backed Netanyahu as the Israeli leader seeks another term amid uncertainty over his governing coalition's parliamentary prospects.

The differing positions emerged as the United States and Israel continued discussions concerning Iran and as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel. According to CNN and Yahoo, Hegseth met Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz during the trip.

Vance explained his position during an interview with journalist Mark Halperin aboard Air Force Two. He emphasized that his political focus remained on the United States, particularly the November 3 midterm elections.

"I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterm. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections," Vance said.

The vice president also clarified that his refusal to endorse Netanyahu did not amount to opposition to the Israeli prime minister. CNN reported that Vance had previously traveled to Budapest, Hungary, in April to campaign for then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who subsequently lost his reelection bid.

"I’m not anti-endorsing him. I’m not pro-endorsing him. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections," Vance said.

Trump, who had initially avoided taking a position on Netanyahu's political future, publicly supported him over the weekend. In an earlier interview with Time, Trump had distanced himself from Israeli domestic politics.

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

Trump subsequently expressed strong support for Netanyahu in a social media post on Sunday, October 18. He described the Israeli leader as a wartime partner and linked their cooperation to efforts against Iran.

"Great Warrior Prime Minister," Trump wrote, describing Netanyahu in his endorsement.

Yahoo reported that Trump also issued what he called his "Complete and Total Endorsement" of Netanyahu. He argued that without Netanyahu in office, the United States might have to complete the confrontation with Tehran without the Israeli prime minister's leadership.

Netanyahu welcomed Trump's backing in a post on X, presenting the two leaders' cooperation as continuing work toward their shared objectives.

"Together we will complete the mission!" Netanyahu wrote.

The election presents a significant political test for Netanyahu, whose governing coalition could fall short of a parliamentary majority, according to polling cited by Yahoo. The October 27 vote will be Israel's first national election since Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack and the regional wars that followed.

Meanwhile, Hegseth's visit added a diplomatic and military dimension to the political developments. According to Axios, which cited two sources familiar with the trip, the visit came as Washington and Jerusalem discussed the possibility of resuming major combat operations against Iran.

Reuters said it could not independently confirm the visit, while the Pentagon and the Israeli Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. CNN separately reported that Hegseth met Netanyahu and Katz on Monday evening, citing sources familiar with the meeting.