JD Vance Withholds Endorsement of Netanyahu Following Trump’s Public Backing

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Vice President JD Vance opted against endorsing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, marking a notable departure from the stance taken by President Donald Trump just one day earlier.

During an appearance on the program 2WAY Tonight, hosted by Mark Halperin, Vance clarified his position by stating he is not getting involved in the Israeli elections. He emphasized that he is neither anti-endorsing nor pro-endorsing the incumbent leader.

Trump had publicly thrown his weight behind Netanyahu’s re-election campaign on Sunday. In a post on Truth Social, the president declared his complete and total endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu, asserting that if Israel chooses any other leader, the United States would be forced to handle regional challenges independently.

Vance characterized Trump’s influence as the most effective endorsement in American or international political history. He further explained his neutrality by noting that his primary focus remains on supporting American candidates ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Despite his current hesitation, Vance has a history of engaging in foreign political campaigns, having traveled to Hungary in April to support then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Orbán was subsequently defeated after a 16-year tenure.

Regarding his own political future, Vance stated he has not yet decided whether to launch a presidential bid in 2028. However, he expressed confidence that if he were to run, Trump would provide an immediate endorsement.

The president’s support for Netanyahu arrives amid significant international scrutiny regarding the conflict in Gaza and rising violence in the West Bank. Over the weekend, attacks against Palestinian farmers, activists, and journalists drew widespread condemnation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted on Saturday that the administration was very disturbed by reports of violence, specifically referencing an attack on American journalist Heidi Levine, a photographer for The Washington Post. While Netanyahu labeled the incident as alleged, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee welcomed the arrest of 10 suspects on Monday, describing the event as a despicable act of terror.

Vance has previously maintained a more cautious perspective on Israel than many of his conservative peers. In June, he warned Israeli officials against resisting U.S.-led efforts to negotiate an end to the joint war with Iran, suggesting that Israel should value its only powerful global ally.

Public sentiment toward Israel has shifted in recent years, with Pew Research Center data from May showing that favorable views of the Israeli government dropped from 47% in 2022 to 32% in 2026.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)