Trump Adopts Distant Approach to Netanyahu as Israeli Elections Approach
Ahead of the October 27 elections, US President Donald Trump is avoiding direct support for Benjamin Netanyahu despite their long history.
Ahead of the upcoming Israeli elections, US President Donald Trump is maintaining a distant stance toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, avoiding direct support despite their past close relationship.
Political Relations from Past to Present
Since stepping into the White House in 2017, US President Donald Trump has pursued a foreign policy that met the expectations of right-wing Israeli politics and supported Benjamin Netanyahu's political future.
During this process, the Israeli leader argued that he was the best figure to manage the most crucial foreign relations, and while he weathered occasional public criticisms and leaked discontent from Trump, concrete policies remained largely unchanged.
Cautious Stance on the October 27 Elections
Despite the leaders' long history, Trump is adopting an indifferent approach toward the Israeli elections on October 27, in which the Likud party as well as the far-right coalition face threats.
In these elections, the coalition led by Netanyahu is facing serious pressure from the opposition bloc that Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot is trying to build.
Public Reservations and Expert Opinions
Yousef Munayyer, head of the Palestine/Israel program at Arab Center Washington DC, states that this public distance stems from both political winds in the US and Israel and the evolution of the relationship between the two leaders.
In a recent magazine interview, Trump three times avoided giving direct support to Netanyahu, and while defending his leadership before the October 7, 2023 attacks, stated that he had not heard anything negative about Gadi Eisenkot.
Policy Axes Between the US and Israel
During his first term, Trump moved the embassy to Jerusalem, recognized the annexation of the Golan Heights, withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, and spearheaded normalization processes with Arab countries such as the Abraham Accords.
In his second term, which began in January 2025, he continued weapon shipments to Israel during operations in Gaza, increased pressure against the International Criminal Court, and demanded that Netanyahu be pardoned in his corruption trial.
Shift in Netanyahu's Campaign Strategy
Experts note that Trump's distant stance also reflects divisions within the Trump administration and the Republican Party regarding Netanyahu's role, particularly concerning the war waged with Iran.
On the other hand, Netanyahu is changing his campaign strategy, avoiding billboards praising his close relationship with Trump, and instead choosing to focus on regional and international threats.