Netanyahu will seek re-election, party says after Trump raises doubts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run for reelection this year, his party announced this Wednesday (10), after United States President Donald Trump said he was unsure whether the Israeli prime minister would run again.

In a brief statement, Netanyahu's Likud Party said he would run in the elections and, God willing, he would win. The elections have not yet been formally announced, but are expected to take place by October.

Previously, ABC News' chief Washington correspondent, Jonathan Karl, posted on X that Trump had told him he didn't know whether Netanyahu would run.

"I don't know, he's had an incredible career. Does he want to continue?", quoted the journalist, referring to Trump's words.

The Israeli election will be the first since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the country's worst security failure, which precipitated Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu has faced a tumultuous term since returning to power in December 2022 at the head of the most right-wing coalition in Israel's history. It faced mass anti-government protests before the wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

Polls have repeatedly indicated that his coalition would not be able to obtain a majority in the next elections. A poll published by the Jerusalem-based think tank Israel Democracy Institute on June 9 found that 61% of the Israeli population believe he should not run.

However, polls also show that a possible coalition of opposition parties would not achieve a parliamentary majority unless it formed a coalition with Arab parties, which some opposition leaders have ruled out.

American and Israeli officials say that Trump and Netanyahu, who jointly launched the war against Iran in February, still maintain a close relationship, although it has gone through moments of tension, including in recent weeks, when Trump demanded that Israel restrict military actions in Lebanon while Washington negotiates a peace agreement with Tehran.

Last week, Trump acknowledged calling Netanyahu "crazy as hell" in a heated phone call, although he also said they get along well. He has repeatedly called on Israel's president to pardon Netanyahu on outstanding corruption charges, which Netanyahu denies.

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Source: CNN