US Vice President JD Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27 election

Summary

US Vice President JD Vance declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the 27 October Israeli parliamentary elections, after President Donald Trump on Sunday declared his 'complete and total endorsement' of Netanyahu. Speaking to US journalist Mark Halperin, Vance said: 'I endorse American candidates, and that's what I'm focused on, is the midterm. So I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections.' At a press conference in Ohio, Vance said: 'I'm not attacking Bibi Netanyahu. I'm not endorsing Bibi Netanyahu,' and said he was focused on the 3 November US midterm elections and would not back any more foreign candidates. Middle East Eye reports that this follows Vance's earlier backing of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which did not go particularly well, as Orban lost the election.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   21 Oct 2026, 06:14 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Vance, speaking to journalist Mark Halperin, said he is 'not getting involved' in Israeli elections and declined to endorse Netanyahu when asked whether he would follow Trump's endorsement.

2. Middle East Eye

   22 Oct 2026, 02:56 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Vance, at a press conference in Ohio, said he is 'not endorsing' Netanyahu, is focused on the 3 November US midterms, and will not back more foreign candidates.