Vance Declines to Endorse Netanyahu for Re-Election, Breaking With Trump

President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D.

Vance speak together during an event at the White House on May 8, 2025. —Anna Moneymaker—Getty Images Vice President J.D.

Vance on Monday declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election, a day after President Donald Trump publicly backed the embattled leader.

“The President has the most effective endorsement in American, or international, political history,” said Vance, when asked in an interview if he would also be extending an endorsement ahead of the election on Oct.

27.

“I endorse American candidates and that’s where I'm focused on, is the midterms, so I'm not getting involved in the Israeli elections.” When pushed for an answer, Vance added: “I'm not anti-endorsing [Netanyahu], I'm not pro-endorsing him.” Vance’s response stood in stark contrast to Trump's endorsement, as he put his “complete and total” support behind the Israeli leader, while praising his endurance as a “great warrior” Prime Minister.

Referencing the Iran war, Trump said : “If Israel has the wrong leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi [Netanyahu], America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so.” He went on to say that Netanyahu has been “strong, brave, and brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel” and “despite all of that, he has endured.” Many are viewing the Israeli election as a referendum on Netanyahu, who has faced heavy criticism over his handling of the Hamas-led attack against Israel on Oct.

7, 2023.

The subsequent Israel-Hamas war has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza .

Netanyahu’s government has also been called to task over the reports of settler violence against Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank.

Read More : How Oct.

7 Changed Israel Ahead of the elections, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly met with Netanyahu on Monday during an unannounced visit to Israel, Axios said, citing two sources with knowledge.

The Pentagon declined to comment when contacted.

TIME has also reached out to the Israeli embassy and Netanyahu’s office for comment.