Israel Election: Trump warns of solo Iran strikes if Netanyahu loses

President Donald Trump issued a second endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday evening, publishing a post on Truth Social days before Israel’s general election. The message combined praise for Netanyahu’s record with a direct instruction to voters and a warning about the future of U.S. military operations in the region.

In the post, Trump asked citizens to remember that Netanyahu has been an "outstanding Warrior Prime Minister." He cited Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury as evidence of a successful partnership, stating that the two leaders have been "winning together." The message concluded with a specific appeal: "Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister; we have to finish the job that we started!"

The endorsement follows a surge in lobbying efforts by Netanyahu’s camp. Two American sources told The Jerusalem Post that the prime minister and allies within Trump’s inner circle had increased pressure for new statements of support. One source described the effort as a sign of "political desperation," noting that the intensity of the campaign was unusual for the current administration.

Reports from Axios added logistical details to the outreach. According to that account, Trump and Netanyahu spoke twice in the three days preceding the post. Netanyahu reportedly suggested specific wording for the endorsement and proposed that the U.S. president speak with Israeli journalists to reiterate his support. The timing of these communications aligns with the final stretch of the campaign.

Trump’s message included a conditional statement regarding the U.S. role in the confrontation with Iran. He wrote, "If Israel has the wrong leader, meaning anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this job itself, and I’m not inclined to do that." The Jerusalem Post identified the "job" as the ongoing military and diplomatic engagement with Iran.

The post positions the upcoming vote as a decision point for bilateral military coordination. By linking Netanyahu’s leadership to continued joint operations, Trump framed a potential change in government as a trigger for unilateral American action. The warning serves to signal to Israeli voters that the cost of electing an alternative leader may include a shift in Washington’s operational posture.

Voters in Israel will cast their ballots in the coming days. The result will determine whether Netanyahu continues as prime minister and, according to Trump’s statement, whether the United States maintains its current level of direct involvement in the regional conflict or assumes the full burden of operations against Iran.