By — Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/jd-vance-declines-to-endorse-netanyahu-for-reelection-says-hes-focusing-on-midterms Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter JD Vance declines to endorse Netanyahu for reelection, says he's focusing on midterms Politics Oct 20, 2026 10:01 AM EDT Vice President JD Vance declined Monday to endorse Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection a day after President Donald Trump endorsed the embattled Israeli leader. "The president has the most influential endorsement in American or international political history," Vance said during an interview with journalist Mark Halperin. READ MORE: Trump endorses embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection "I endorse American candidates, and that's where I'm focused on the midterms," Vance said, while traveling Monday to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley of North Carolina. "So, I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Vance has campaigned for a foreign leader — then-Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, last spring before the right-wing leader's party lost that country's parliamentary election. Vance's deference to Trump on Netanyahu comes at an extraordinarily sensitive time for Jewish Americans and the U.S. alliance with Israel. Concerns about antisemitism have surged across the political spectrum ahead of the midterm elections. READ MORE: Vance faces tough questions on Iran war, immigration and more in CBS town hall Republicans have been eager to portray Democrats, notably Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, as hostile toward Jews and Israel, while they deal with their own internal schisms. Vance has faced skepticism from Jewish Republicans about his commitment to Jewish Americans and the U.S. alliance with Israel. Last month, Vance spoke privately in Las Vegas to the Republican Jewish Coalition, a leading GOP group committed to advocating for a strong U.S. relationship with Israel and against antisemitism. Vance left a positive impression on his RJC audience while stopping short of disavowing influential conservative podcast host Tucker Carlson. Vance has faced general questions about his association with Carlson, a former Fox News host who faced backlash last year for interviewing antisemite Nick Fuentes on his podcast. In June, Vance sharply criticized members of Israel's government for opposing Trump's efforts to resolve the war with Iran. In July, Vance said elements of the Israeli government had tried to influence American sentiment to derail negotiations. "There are some people within their system that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely," Vance said during an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press
Vice President JD Vance declined Monday to endorse Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection a day after President Donald Trump endorsed the embattled Israeli leader. "The president has the most influential endorsement in American or international political history," Vance said during an interview with journalist Mark Halperin. READ MORE: Trump endorses embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection "I endorse American candidates, and that's where I'm focused on the midterms," Vance said, while traveling Monday to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley of North Carolina. "So, I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Vance has campaigned for a foreign leader — then-Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, last spring before the right-wing leader's party lost that country's parliamentary election. Vance's deference to Trump on Netanyahu comes at an extraordinarily sensitive time for Jewish Americans and the U.S. alliance with Israel. Concerns about antisemitism have surged across the political spectrum ahead of the midterm elections. READ MORE: Vance faces tough questions on Iran war, immigration and more in CBS town hall Republicans have been eager to portray Democrats, notably Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, as hostile toward Jews and Israel, while they deal with their own internal schisms. Vance has faced skepticism from Jewish Republicans about his commitment to Jewish Americans and the U.S. alliance with Israel. Last month, Vance spoke privately in Las Vegas to the Republican Jewish Coalition, a leading GOP group committed to advocating for a strong U.S. relationship with Israel and against antisemitism. Vance left a positive impression on his RJC audience while stopping short of disavowing influential conservative podcast host Tucker Carlson. Vance has faced general questions about his association with Carlson, a former Fox News host who faced backlash last year for interviewing antisemite Nick Fuentes on his podcast. In June, Vance sharply criticized members of Israel's government for opposing Trump's efforts to resolve the war with Iran. In July, Vance said elements of the Israeli government had tried to influence American sentiment to derail negotiations. "There are some people within their system that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely," Vance said during an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now