'Vote for Bibi for PM': Trump renews pitch for Netanyahu as Israel heads to polls tomorrow

Urging Israel to vote for Netanyahu, Trump praised him as an outstanding Warrior PM, while invoking their close ties and joint military campaign against Iran. US President Donald Trump once again threw his weight behind incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel elections tomorrow, reiterating his endorsement of the Israeli leader, asking citizens to “vote for Bibi for PM.”Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States President Donald Trump. (REUTERS/FILE)In his latest post on Truth Social, Trump praised Netanyahu as an “outstanding Warrior Prime Minister," while invoking their close ties and joint military campaign against Iran.Trump also cited US operations, including Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, while claiming that Iran’s military and economy had been severely weakened.“To the people of Israel, to those who haven’t seen it, I am attaching the Endorsement I gave one week ago to your Prime Minister, Bibi Netanyahu. As everyone is aware, including the enemy, Bibi and I have had a great relationship in winning together. I did the Venezuelan attack, one of the most successful Military Operations in History but, before that, we did Operation Midnight Hammer, stopping the World’s Number One State Sponsor of Terror from obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Then we did Operation Epic Fury, and Iran now has No Navy, No Air Force, and both their Military and Economy are in shambles, including the fact that Iran’s Inflation is at 301 per cent,” Trump posted on Truth Social.Trump also referred to the labels “little Satan” for Israel and “big Satan” for the US, which he attributed to their adversaries.He said, “The Naval Blockade has precluded them from getting Oil, and two levels of leadership, both Military and otherwise, are gone. When you go to the Polls please remember that Bibi has been an outstanding Warrior Prime Minister! Israel was called The Little Satan, with the United States being called The Big Satan, by some very evil people.Calling on Israelis to “finish the job”, Trump renewed his appeal and said, "There can no longer be the chant heard around the World of “Death to America, Death to Israel,” and there won’t be. Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister, we have to finish the job that we started!”Trump's post on Truth Social. (X/screengrab)ALSO READ: Netanyahu explores cryptocurrency to bypass economic sanctions, faces backlashTrump had earlier endorsed Netanyahu on October 18. On Truth Social, he had said, “Bibi Netanyahu has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself.”"Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its 51 year old chant, “Death to Israel, Death to America! We will destroy the Little Satan and the Big Satan.” What Country can survive when things such as this are allowed to be said, because eventually, they always end up being true," the US President written."It would have been only a question of time until Iran would have put that ominous phrase into effect, but they have been systematically destroyed, both Militarily and Financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job. 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 had added.Trump further said, “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. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”The tensions in the Middle East have remained high since February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran.ALSO READ: How Israel elects its prime minister without voters choosing a candidateNetanyahu had quickly responded to and acknowledged Trump's October 18 endorsement. In a post on X, Netanyahu wrote, “Thank you, President Trump, for your tremendous support and for our work together. Together we will complete the mission!”'Only Israelis can choose their leader': Netanyahu election rivalNetanyahu's main rival in this election, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, had also responded to Trump's endorsement, saying "only Israelis can choose their leader".According to AFP, speaking at a conference in Tel Aviv, Eisenkot said he "admires" Trump, but "Israel is a democratic country: only Israelis can choose their leader".Israel votes tomorrowIsrael's first vote since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, comes after a period of major turmoil. The attack shook the country and led to war in Gaza. The election serves as a crucial turning point that could determine the political future of Netanyahu.Nidhi Giri is a Senior Content Producer at the Hindustan Times. A Delhi-based journalist with over four years of experience in the news media industry, she specialises in national affairs, geopolitics, and policy shifts. Her expertise spans breaking news coverage, live blogging, and long-form explainers. Prior to joining HT, Nidhi was part of the newsrooms at Asian News International (ANI) and The Daily Jagran where she led newsroom shifts, contributed to planned content, and edited stories. She has led real-time coverage of major national and international events. Highlights of her career include an exclusive interview with Supreme Court Judge Justice N Kotiswar Singh, coverage of Lok Sabha Polls 2024, Union Budget, Operation Sindoor, Parliament Sessions, multiple state assembly elections, G20 New Delhi Summit 2023, India AI Summit, US Presidential Elections, and US-Iran conflict. Nidhi is an alumna of Birla Vidya Niketan, Delhi, and holds a BA in English Honours from Bharati College, University of Delhi. She also holds a PG Diploma in English Journalism from Indian Institute Of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and an MA in Mass Communication. Outside the newsroom, Nidhi enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new restaurants, and maintaining an active lifestyle through her gym sessions.Read More