TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will seek re-election this year, his Likud party confirmed on Wednesday, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump expressing uncertainty over Netanyahu’s political future.
In a brief statement, the Likud Party said Netanyahu would contest the upcoming election and “God willing, he will win.” The election has not yet been formally announced but is required to be held by October.
The clarification came after Trump told reporters he was unsure whether Netanyahu intended to run again, saying, “I don’t know, he’s had an amazing career. Does he want to continue?”
The remarks were reported by ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl on social media platform X.
The upcoming Israeli election will be the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which triggered Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and marked a major security setback for the country.
Netanyahu, who returned to power in December 2022 leading a right-wing coalition, has faced sustained domestic opposition, including large-scale protests prior to the escalation of conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
Opinion polls have suggested weakening public support for his coalition, with a recent Israel Democracy Institute survey indicating that 61 percent of respondents believe Netanyahu should not seek another term.
Despite political challenges, Likud’s statement reaffirmed Netanyahu’s intention to remain in the race as Israel moves toward a highly consequential election period.