I only endorse American candidates: Vance refuses to back Netanyahu for re-election

The Vice President, however, has previously campaigned for a foreign leader. Last spring, he travelled to Hungary to support then-prime minister Viktor Orban, whose right-wing party subsequently lost the country's parliamentary election.JD Vance refuses to back Netanyahu for re-election (Photo: Reuters)US Vice President JD Vance has steered clear of Israel's electoral politics, saying he would not endorse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election bid even as President Donald Trump threw his weight behind the Israeli leader. Vance said his political focus remained on America's midterm elections rather than the contest in Israel.Asked about the Israeli election during an interview with journalist Mark Halperin on Monday, Vance said Trump’s endorsement carried immense influence but made it clear that he would focus on American politics.Q: Trump endorsed Netanyahu. Do you endorse Netanyahu? JD Vance: I endorse American candidates. I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections. https://t.co/TXYncDC4LR— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 19, 2026"The president has the most influential endorsement in American or international political history," Vance said. "I endorse American candidates, and that's where I'm focused on the midterms," he added while travelling to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley in North Carolina. "So, I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections."Vance's remarks came a day after Trump endorsed Netanyahu, highlighting a difference in their public approaches to the Israeli leader's re-election campaign. The Vice President, however, has previously campaigned for a foreign leader. Last spring, he travelled to Hungary to support then-prime minister Viktor Orban, whose right-wing party subsequently lost the country's parliamentary election.VANCE FACES QUESTIONS OVER ISRAEL AND ANTISEMITISMVance's decision not to endorse Netanyahu comes at a sensitive time for the US-Israel relationship and amid heightened concerns about antisemitism in American politics ahead of the midterm elections. Republicans have sought to portray Democratic candidates, including Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, as hostile towards Jewish people and Israel, even as divisions over Israel and antisemitism have emerged within their own political ranks.The vice president has also faced questions from Jewish Republicans about his commitment to Jewish Americans and the US alliance with Israel.Last month, Vance addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), a prominent Republican group that advocates strong US ties with Israel and opposes antisemitism, during a private meeting in Las Vegas.He reportedly left a positive impression on those attending the meeting, while stopping short of disavowing conservative podcast host Tucker Carlson.Carlson, a former Fox News host, faced criticism last year for interviewing Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist known for his antisemitic views. Vance has faced broader questions about his association with Carlson.VANCE CRITICISED ISRAELI GOVERNMENT EARLIERVance's latest remarks also come against the backdrop of tensions over the Israeli government's position on Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict with Iran.In June, the vice president sharply criticised members of Netanyahu's government for opposing Trump's efforts to end the war with Iran.The following month, Vance accused some Israeli government figures of trying to influence American public opinion to undermine negotiations."There are some people within their system that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely," he said during an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast.His comments underscored disagreements within the US-Israel relationship over the war and diplomatic efforts, even as Trump has publicly backed Netanyahu.- Ends