Trump Claims Credit for Netanyahu's Election Surge

President Donald Trump claimed his endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned a potential decisive defeat into a victory or stalemate during Israel's Wednesday elections. Preliminary results show Netanyahu's Likud party as the largest with 28 seats, though neither his right-wing bloc nor the opposition alliance led by Gadi Eisenkot has secured the 61-seat majority required to form a government. Arab-led parties are projected to hold a record 19 seats, potentially acting as kingmakers.

Despite the public support, Trump is reportedly pressuring Netanyahu to exclude National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from the next coalition. Trump may push for a broad national unity government involving Eisenkot to facilitate diplomatic goals, including the expansion of the Abraham Accords. Some reports suggest an agreement where Netanyahu would eventually step aside to allow normalization with nations like Saudi Arabia.

Strategic friction has also emerged regarding regional security. Trump has reportedly demanded the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syria to improve relations with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and has criticized the scale of military operations in Lebanon. Meanwhile, both leaders emphasized the need to confront Iran, with Trump stating "anything is possible" regarding potential U.S. military operations against Iranian infrastructure. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged political leaders to avoid another round of elections as government consultations begin.