Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will seek re-election this year, his Likud Party has confirmed, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump questioning whether the veteran leader would stand again.
The announcement comes ahead of an election that must be held by October and is expected to take place in a highly volatile political environment.
In a brief statement, Netanyahu’s Likud Party said the prime minister will run in the upcoming election and, “God willing,” he will win.
The statement was issued shortly after Trump publicly expressed uncertainty about Netanyahu’s political future.
While the election date has not yet been formally announced, Israeli law requires it to be held by October this year.
Trump’s remarks spark attention
The development follows comments by Donald Trump, who told ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl that he was unsure whether Netanyahu intended to run again.
“I don’t know, he’s had an amazing career. Does he want to continue?” Trump was quoted as saying.
The remarks quickly drew attention given the long-standing but sometimes strained relationship between the two leaders.
The upcoming election will be the first in Israel since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which marked a major security failure for the country and triggered the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Netanyahu has faced significant political pressure during his tenure, including mass protests before the recent regional conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Polls have consistently indicated that his coalition may struggle to secure a majority in the next election.
A recent poll from the Israel Democracy Institute found that 61% of Israelis believe Netanyahu should not run again.
However, opposition parties also face challenges, as projections suggest they may fall short of forming a governing majority without support from Arab parties—an option some leaders have rejected.
This leaves the political landscape highly fragmented ahead of the vote.
Despite occasional tensions, U.S. and Israeli officials describe Trump and Netanyahu as maintaining a close working relationship.
Both leaders have been involved in regional security discussions, including tensions involving Iran and broader Middle East conflicts.
However, recent reports suggest disagreements have emerged, particularly over military developments and diplomatic efforts in the region.
Trump has also publicly commented on Netanyahu’s legal situation, previously calling for a pardon in his corruption case, which Netanyahu denies.
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