U.S. President Donald Trump has not decided whether to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel’s election scheduled for October 27, 75 days before the vote, according to Axios. Most opinion polls currently show Netanyahu failing to gain a lead.
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According to a U.S. official familiar with a conversation between Trump and Netanyahu at the White House two weeks ago, the U.S. president asked the Israeli prime minister about his standing in the polls. Netanyahu hesitated to answer before one of his advisers intervened, saying: “Mr. President, he’s winning.”
Axios reported that Trump and his advisers are aware that most polls do not show Netanyahu ahead.
The U.S. president has so far refrained from giving Netanyahu the public endorsement the Israeli prime minister is seeking, despite Netanyahu repeatedly asking about his position on the election.
According to Axios, disagreements between Trump and Netanyahu over foreign policy have increased over the past three months, particularly concerning Iran, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. Two U.S. officials said Trump has personal appreciation for Netanyahu but is frustrated by some of his decisions and policies.
The outlet quoted two people who recently spoke with Trump about Netanyahu as saying: “Bibi is his own worst enemy.”
Axios also said Trump had declined to publicly endorse Netanyahu on four occasions over the past four weeks when asked by reporters, despite praising him in recent interviews as an “excellent wartime prime minister.”
The report noted that Trump’s declining popularity in Israel in recent months, amid his positions on the war with Iran and Israeli military operations in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon, could also influence his calculations over whether to intervene in the election.
According to Axios, Netanyahu’s political opponents are pressing Trump to remain neutral, while a former U.S. official said Netanyahu’s weakness in the polls is one factor contributing to Trump’s current hesitation to endorse him.
The Israeli election is significant for Trump as he seeks to advance his Gaza plan, make progress in negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, and reach a security agreement between Israel and Syria.
