Trump Backs Netanyahu Ahead of Israeli Election as Settler Violence Escalates

US President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, ahead of Israel's parliamentary elections on October 27. The endorsement comes after weeks of silence that had worried Netanyahu's camp. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Netanyahu "has been a great warrior Prime Minister and an even better partner for peace in the fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran." The October 27 vote is Israel's first election since Hamas attacked Israel in 2023. The lack of US support had been a setback for the Likud party leader. Netanyahu had presented his close ties with Trump as a key reason for voters to keep him in power. "Bibi Netanyahu has been a great warrior Prime Minister and an even better partner for peace," Trump wrote. He said Iran had chanted "Death to Israel, death to the United States" for 51 years, but had been "systematically destroyed, both militarily and financially." He added: "Unless they change their attitude quickly, we will soon finish the job." Trump warned that if Israel chose a leader other than Netanyahu, the US would have to "do this job by itself, and I don't feel like doing it." He praised Netanyahu as "strong, brave and brilliant" in the face of "tremendous opposition, including from within Israel itself." "This is the kind of partner the United States of America demands from Israel," Trump said, expressing his "total and absolute support" for Netanyahu's re-election campaign. Both leaders face elections under pressure from the open war with Iran, which they launched together on February 28. Trump faces US midterm elections on November 3. For Netanyahu, the vote will also judge his responsibility for failing to anticipate the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and for the retaliatory war that has inflamed the Middle East and caused a genocide in Gaza. **Settler Violence** US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned settler violence during the olive harvest in the West Bank, which injured several Palestinians and Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine. In a post on X, Huckabee demanded "a thorough investigation, arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law" of those involved. He called the attack "a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards." Levine was seriously injured in Friday's attack in the town of Abu Falah. Israeli police are also investigating an attack by Israeli settlers on European diplomats on Saturday in another West Bank town. Settler violence against Palestinians has surged this year. Netanyahu was ambiguous about the attack on Levine, condemning "violence against any person" but calling the incident "alleged" and saying the circumstances remained unclear, according to AP. Huckabee called the assault on Levine "cruel" and "shameful," noting she had been clearly identified as a journalist. Levine remained hospitalized after surgery on her hand and treatment for broken ribs and other injuries. She said settlers threw her to the ground and beat her for more than 10 minutes, and stole her camera, passport and phone. The Washington Post has repeated its call for a thorough and transparent investigation, though Israel rarely investigates settler violence thoroughly.