President Donald Trump with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
\n\nUS President Donald Trump has endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Tuesday's election, despite concerns among some of his closest advisers that a different government in Israel could better advance Washington's Middle East agenda, according to US officials cited by Axios.
\n\nTrump announced his endorsement on Sunday after weeks of hesitation, suggesting that Netanyahu's defeat could have consequences for US-Israel relations. One Trump adviser described the President's view of the Israeli leader by saying: "He's the devil he knows."
\n\nTrump has never worked with an Israeli prime minister other than Netanyahu, and does not personally know the other candidates. The two leaders have developed a close but often turbulent relationship.
\n\nOne US official told Axios that Trump's endorsement could benefit him regardless of the election result. If Netanyahu wins, or remains in office as caretaker prime minister, Trump could claim credit for helping him politically and use that influence to seek concessions. If Netanyahu loses, his successor would still have strong reasons to maintain good relations with the US President.
\n\nVance Declines to Endorse Netanyahu
\n\nSeveral senior Trump advisers reportedly opposed his decision to back Netanyahu, arguing that the…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world
