JD Vance refuses to back Netanyahu ahead of next week's Israeli election, breaking with Trump's 'complete and total endorsement'

From the Newshound archive · first published 20 October 2026 · last updated 21 October 2026.

'I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him,' Vice President JD Vance told journalist Mark Halperin aboard Air Force Two. He said he was focused on the US midterms instead. President Donald Trump had warned that if Israel picks anyone other than Benjamin Netanyahu, 'America will have to do this work ourselves.' Polls show Netanyahu's coalition and the opposition deadlocked before the 27 October vote.

US officials were blindsided by Trump's endorsement: 'But Trump is Trump,' one diplomat said.

Vance previously campaigned for Hungary's Viktor Orban, whose party went on to lose.

Arab parties Joint List and Ra'am could take about 15 seats and decide Netanyahu's fate.

The GuardianAfter three disastrous years, Israel needs to rethink itself. A new government would be a start Jewish NewsIsrael votes: what next for the start-up nation?iNewsThe simple way Netanyahu’s reign could be ended by Israel’s opposition The TimesWill Israel’s ultra-Orthodox ‘kingmakers’ end the Netanyahu era?The Jewish ChronicleVance declines to join Trump in backing Netanyahu for re-election - The Jewish Chronicle ReutersIsrael's Ben-Gvir poised for election gains as young voters turn to far right Globe and MailVance declines to endorse Netanyahu’s re-election bid, despite Trump backing the embattled leader The TimesOctober 7 is at the heart of Israeli elections Irish IndependentJD Vance refuses to join Donald Trump in backing Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election NYT WorldPalestinians Hope Israeli Election Will Oust Netanyahu

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