US Vice President JD Vance Declines to Endorse Netanyahu, Focuses on Domestic Midterms

United States Vice President JD Vance has opted not to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the upcoming elections this month, stating a preference to remain on the sidelines and concentrate on the midterm elections within the US. Vance articulated these views during an interview on Monday with journalist Mark Halperin, a day after US President Donald Trump had explicitly endorsed Netanyahu.

“I’m not anti-endorsing him. I’m not pro-endorsing him. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections,” Vance stated. “I endorse American candidates and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterms,” he elaborated. Vance’s last endorsement of a foreign leader was in April, when he supported former Hungarian right-wing Prime Minister Victor Orban, who subsequently lost to Peter Magyar.

Throughout his two terms, Trump fostered a close alliance with Netanyahu and his right-wing government. During his first term, Trump relocated the US embassy to west Jerusalem, acknowledged Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and facilitated normalization agreements with Arab nations that diminished the focus on the Israel-Palestine issue.

Since resuming office in January 2025, the Trump administration has continued arms sales to Israel, even amidst its actions in Gaza. The administration also engaged in conflict with Iran and intensified scrutiny of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Vance, who is considered a potential presidential contender in 2028, has become a symbol of growing dissent within the Republican party regarding Washington’s unwavering support for Israel. This sentiment has been amplified by the economic impact of the US-Israel conflict on Iran, which has led to increased costs for US consumers.

While the vice president has affirmed that US support for Israel should persist, he has encountered skepticism from Jewish Republicans concerning his commitment to the alliance. In June, amidst Israeli objections to an Iran ceasefire plan, Vance advised Israel, “You can’t just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have.” He also cautioned Netanyahu’s cabinet against alienating Trump, referring to the president as “the only powerful ally” remaining for Israel.

It remains uncertain whether Trump’s endorsement will bolster Netanyahu’s Likud party in the upcoming vote. Some opinion polls suggest wariness towards the US president due to his perceived efforts to limit Israeli operations in Lebanon and his resistance to further escalation with Iran. Polls indicate that the Yashar party, led by former Israeli military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, is currently ahead of Likud. Eisenkot has expressed his intention to form an opposition bloc to establish a government.