Trump Stops Short of Endorsing Netanyahu as Israel’s Election Nears

President Donald Trump has stopped short of endorsing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite being asked four times in recent weeks, according to U.S. officials and people briefed on the discussions. In a July interview, Trump praised Netanyahu’s wartime leadership but said he did not know most potential alternatives when asked whether anyone else could do the job better. Israeli opposition figures have reportedly urged Trump to remain neutral, while Netanyahu’s coalition is polling below the 61 seats needed for a majority ahead of the October 27 election. Trump and Netanyahu remain personally friendly, although officials described policy frustrations between them.