Trump backs Netanyahu as Israel votes Tuesday in tight election

US President Donald Trump urged Israelis to vote for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tuesday's legislative election, calling him an "outstanding Warrior Prime Minister" on Truth Social Sunday. The endorsement comes as Netanyahu faces his toughest challenge yet from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, with polls showing a dead heat before a pre-election polling ban took effect.

Netanyahu, in power for 30 years, is campaigning on security credentials and the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran — framing the conflict as "winning together" with Trump. Eisenkot, leading the Yashar party, pledges to heal Israeli divisions, launch a state inquiry into the October 7 Hamas attack failures, and crack down on extremist West Bank settlers. Netanyahu faces an active corruption trial and critics say he prioritizes political survival over national interest.

The stakes extend beyond Israel. Netanyahu's "Either the Right or Palestine" slogan and AI-generated mushroom cloud post warning of Iranian nuclear threats signal a hardline trajectory. Eisenkot opposes a Palestinian state but promises accountability. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has committed to an Eisenkot coalition, calling Netanyahu unfit.

For Nigeria, the outcome matters: a Netanyahu win likely means continued Iran confrontation affecting global oil prices, while an Eisenkot government could shift regional dynamics. Either way, Tuesday's vote shapes Middle East stability that ripples to Nigerian fuel costs and diplomatic relations.

Will Israel choose continuity with Netanyahu's war footing or Eisenkot's unity pitch — and how will the result hit your petrol budget?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/10/26/vote-for-outstanding-warrior-netanyahu-trump-tells-israelis/