Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on Monday showing Donald Trump’s full-throated support for his re-election campaign. The US president told Netanyahu he expects him to win the 27 October vote and hinted the two countries may attack Iran together again.

Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday. A day later, Netanyahu shared footage of their phone conversation where the two leaders praised each other openly.

“I think you’re going to have a tremendous victory, actually,” Trump says in the recording.

“You’re the man I want by my side, Bibi,” Trump adds, using Netanyahu’s nickname.

Netanyahu reminded the US president they were on an open line before praising Trump for joining Israel in attacking Iran in February.

“Donald, we have a job to finish,” Netanyahu says in the video. “We’ll finish it together. We’ll finish it, and no one else will do it.”

Netanyahu did not explain what job he meant. He called Iran’s clerical government “the greatest danger” to Israel. The Iranian regime remains in power almost eight months after the February strike.

Questions over defence secretary visit

The Israeli leader appeared to speak from an air force base. He released another video from the same location warning he had received assurances about Israel’s “capability to strike our enemies the moment it is required”.

Axios reported on Tuesday that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Netanyahu in Israel the day before. The report fuelled talk that US-Israeli attacks on Iran could start again.

The Pentagon refused to comment on whether the meeting happened.

David Makovsky from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said Trump’s backing may not sway many voters.

Netanyahu “is a polarising figure. You either love him or hate him,” Makovsky said. “How many undecideds are there? Not that many.”

Trump endorses despite internal tensions

Trump (80) went ahead with his endorsement even though top US officials have shown open frustration with Israel. Vice President JD Vance has criticised Israel sharply over the Iran war. He said Israel has no friends other than the United States and needs to follow US policy.

Makovsky said Trump’s move might mean he secured a deal from Netanyahu in exchange for the endorsement. He could not say what that deal might involve.

Israel Hayom newspaper reported recently that the Trump administration wants Netanyahu to form a government without his far-right allies. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denied the report. The far-right partners have supported settler extremists in the West Bank and called for expelling all Palestinians from Gaza.

The paper said a more moderate unity government could then work on normalising Israel’s ties with more Arab and Islamic nations. Netanyahu mentioned expanding the Abraham Accords in his call with Trump. The UAE, Bahrain and Morocco normalised relations with Israel in 2020 under those agreements.

Netanyahu called Trump “by far, the greatest friend Israel has ever had”.

Trump backed Israel with several major steps during his first term. He moved the US embassy to Jerusalem, which most countries do not recognise as Israel’s capital because of the Palestinian dispute.

Challenger shows respect but insists on independence

Netanyahu’s main opponent, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, said he respects Trump after the endorsement. But he insisted “only Israelis can choose their leader”.

Trump and Netanyahu have built a close partnership while both men face deep unpopularity in most democratic countries. Netanyahu turns 77 on Wednesday.

The pair have also avoided prosecution while holding office. Netanyahu faces corruption charges that could send him to prison.

Trump remains angry over cases against him, including charges related to his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss. He told Netanyahu he is a “warrior” who has been “treated unfairly by your country and by some others”.

Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The charges relate to Israel’s offensive in Gaza following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks.

Netanyahu has rejected the charges. The Trump administration has tried to destroy the court in The Hague through sanctions.

Trump’s approval rating in Israel dropped sharply after he suddenly changed course in April and agreed to a ceasefire with Tehran. That ceasefire has now fallen apart.

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