JD Vance’s comments come in the wake of Donald Trump’s endorsement of the Israeli prime minister ahead of the October 27 election.
Published October 20, 2026
US Vice President J.D. Vance has refused to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of this month’s elections, saying he wants to stay on the sidelines and focus on the US midterm polls.
Vance’s comments in an interview with journalist Mark Halperin on Monday came a day after US President Donald Trump explicitly supported Prime Minister Netanyahu.
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“I’m not anti-him. I’m not supporting him. I’m not involved in Israeli elections,” Vance said.
“I support U.S. candidates and am focused on the midterm elections,” he added.
Vance’s last push for a foreign leader was in April, when he supported Hungary’s former right-wing prime minister, Viktor Orbán, who lost in a landslide to Peter Magyar.
Throughout his two terms in office, Trump has forged close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government.
During his first term, Trump moved the US embassy to West Jerusalem, recognized Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and spearheaded a series of normalization deals with Arab countries that set aside the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Since retaking office in January 2025, the Trump administration has continued to sell arms to Israel despite its genocidal war in Gaza, entered into conflict with Iran, and escalated its crackdown at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Meanwhile, Vance, who is seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, has become a symbol of growing dissatisfaction within the Republican Party with Washington’s unconditional support for Israel. That sentiment has deepened as the U.S.-Israel war against Iran has increased costs for U.S. consumers.
The vice president has said U.S. support for Israel should continue, but faces skepticism from Jewish Republicans about his commitment to the alliance.
In June, amid Israeli opposition to Iran’s ceasefire plan, Mr. Vance told Israel: “We cannot sacrifice our power to solve all the national security problems we have.”
He also warned Netanyahu’s cabinet not to alienate Trump, calling him Israel’s “only strong ally” left.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s support will buoy Netanyahu’s Likud party ahead of the vote, with some opinion polls pointing to his wariness over his attempts to rein in Israeli operations in Lebanon and resistance to further escalation in Iran.
Opinion polls show Yashar’s party leading Likud ahead of the Oct. 27 vote. Its leader, former Israeli army chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, said he would aim to build an opposition coalition to form a government.
