United States Vice President JD Vance has said that he will not adopt a position on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election campaign, explicitly distancing himself from Israel's electoral politics shortly after President Donald Trump endorsed the Israeli leader over the weekend.
Speaking during an interview with Mark Halperin on the digital programme 2WAY Tonight, Vance was asked directly whether he endorsed Netanyahu following Trump's public display of support.
"I endorse American candidates, and that's where I'm focused on in the midterms, so I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections,” Vance replied.
Pressed further on whether he was deliberately avoiding supporting or opposing the Israeli prime minister, Vance clarified that his neutral stance was not an expression of hostility.
"I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections," Vance added.
Vance diverges from White House position
The vice president's remarks stand in marked contrast to Trump, who threw his support behind Netanyahu on Sunday ahead of Israel's 27 October parliamentary elections.
In an extensive post published on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Netanyahu's wartime leadership and his strategic partnership with Washington, specifically highlighting joint efforts in confronting Iran.
Trump also warned that the United States could find itself forced to shoulder regional security burdens on its own should Israeli voters select an alternative prime minister at the ballot box.
