U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed explicit support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset. In a letter addressed to the people of Israel, Trump praised Netanyahu’s leadership, their collaboration in the struggle against Iran, and his steadfastness in the face of both domestic and external pressures. “Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the letter, attributed to Trump, states.
The U.S. President further addressed the threats issued by the Iranian regime against Israel and the United States. He noted that for decades, Iran has called for the destruction of both nations, while actions taken against it have inflicted severe military and economic damage. “Unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job,” Trump warned in the letter.
The most notable point in the letter concerns the identity of Israel’s next prime minister. Trump made it clear that, from his perspective, the continuation of Netanyahu’s tenure is significant for American interests in the Middle East as well. “If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so,” he wrote.
Trump went on to praise how Netanyahu has handled the pressures exerted on him over the years, including domestic opposition. “Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself. Despite all of that, he has endured and, in fact, he has thrived!” the President wrote.
Trump added that he had personally witnessed how Netanyahu conducted himself during particularly complex periods: “I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times. Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure — But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today.”
Concluding the statement, the American President emphasized the importance of the partnership with Netanyahu: “This is the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much.” Trump ended with a direct declaration of support: “Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel.” The Prime Minister, who had just been interviewed by Yaara Zered on Channel 14, responded: “I am glad to hear that; I can tell you that it is heartwarming, because the partnership between us is an asset to the State of Israel.”