Israeli opposition leader rejects Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu

On October 18, 2026, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot responded to public remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had expressed "absolute and full support" for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the upcoming Israeli legislative elections. Eizenkot, the leader of the Yasar party and the primary opposition candidate, asserted that while he holds great respect for the U.S. President, the decision regarding Israel’s next leadership rests solely with its citizens.

Eizenkot delivered these comments during a conference in Tel Aviv, emphasizing that Israel is a sovereign democracy and the election process is an internal matter. The statement serves as a direct rebuttal to the American president’s intervention in the local political landscape. The upcoming legislative elections in Israel are scheduled to take place on October 27, 2026, and represent a critical juncture for the country's government. Both major news sources confirm that Trump’s endorsement was aimed at assisting Netanyahu in his current bid for reelection.