Vice President JD Vance Refuses to Endorse Netanyahu

Vice President JD Vance has refused to back Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election bid, a decision that comes just one day after President Donald Trump publicly threw his support behind the embattled leader.

In a statement, Vance clarified that he was neither against nor in favor of endorsing Netanyahu, saying "I'm not anti-endorsing him; I'm not pro-endorsing him." This stance contrasts sharply with Trump's full-throated endorsement of Netanyahu on Sunday, in which he warned that if Israel were to elect the wrong leader, America would have to step in and take matters into its own hands.

Trump's statement, posted on Truth Social, read: "If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so." He also sought to deflect criticism of his decision to stay out of the Israeli election by emphasizing that he only endorses American candidates.

Vance's presidential aspirations remain uncertain as he continues to weigh his options for 2028. Despite not having made a decision yet, he expressed confidence that Trump would endorse him if he decides to run.

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has drawn international concern, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning the recent violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Rubio stated that the US government was "very disturbed" by the images emerging from the region, particularly after American journalist Heidi Levine was attacked while working for The Washington Post.

Levine remains hospitalized following the assault, which has added to the growing tensions between Israel and Palestine amid the escalating settler violence in the occupied territories.

Vance's stance on Israel has been a subject of interest, particularly given his previous warnings against opposing US efforts to negotiate an end to the Iran conflict.

The American public's favorability towards the Israeli government has seen a decline in recent years, with a significant drop from 47% in 2022 to 32% in 2026, according to polling by the Pew Research Center.