The Likud party announced Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run in the upcoming election, after US President Donald Trump said he was unsure if Netanyahu would re-enter the race.
In a brief statement, Likud stated that Netanyahu will run in the elections and that, “God willing,” he will win. Although the elections have not yet been officially announced, they must be held by October at the latest.
Earlier, ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl reported on the X Network that Trump told him he did not know if Netanyahu would run again.
“I don’t know, he’s had an incredible career. Does he want to continue?” the reporter reported Trump’s response.
Israel’s upcoming elections will be the first since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which is considered the worst security breach in the country’s history and which precipitated Israel’s military offensive on the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu returned to power in December 2022 at the head of one of the most right-wing governments in Israel’s history, and his tenure was marked by massive anti-government protests, as well as wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
According to polls, his coalition could hardly secure a parliamentary majority in the next elections. A poll published by the Jerusalem Institute for Democracy on June 9 showed that 61 percent of citizens believe that Netanyahu should not run again.
On the other hand, polls show that even a potential opposition coalition would not have enough mandates, unless it entered into an alliance with Arab parties, which some opposition leaders have already rejected.
US and Israeli officials say that Trump and Netanyahu, although their relationship has occasionally had strained moments, continue to maintain close cooperation.
This is especially true during the period when Trump called on Israel to curb military actions in Lebanon while Washington conducts negotiations with Tehran.
Trump admitted last week that he called Netanyahu “damn crazy” in a heated phone conversation, but added that the two still get along well.
He has also repeatedly called on the Israeli president to pardon Netanyahu over corruption charges, which he denies.
(Vijesti.ba)
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