According to The Times of Israel, Trump announced his support for Netanyahu on October 18. In a brief phone interview with Axios he said he was always going to do it and just did not want to do it too soon. Asked whether he could work with another Israeli leader, he reportedly answered, ‘Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Who wants to take the chance?’

The Jewish Chronicle reported that Trump called Netanyahu a ‘Great Warrior Prime Minister’ and a partner for peace against Iran. He wrote in essence that if Israel had a leader other than ‘Bibi’, America would have to do the work itself and was not inclined to. Netanyahu replied, ‘Together we will complete the mission!’

Aides reportedly favor change, sending mixed signals

Channel 12's Barak Ravid reported that several of Trump's close advisers favored replacing Netanyahu, believing it would better serve US Middle East interests, and opposed the endorsement. The advisers were not named, and this paper has not independently confirmed the account. Sources in Netanyahu's office told Channel 12 they were unaware of the plan, though the two leaders spoke several times in October, which some read as possible coordination.

Netanyahu recently presented a national security doctrine warning that in two years a president very hostile to Israel could take power in Washington. Such an administration, he said, could suspend military aid or join international sanctions. He argued that Israel should use the two years left in Trump's term to strengthen ties while broadening partnerships with countries such as India and in Latin America.

The race is tight. The JC reported that last week's polling showed Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party well ahead of Netanyahu's Likud, while a Sina international roundup said Netanyahu and Eisenkot were running about even and that large anti-government protests erupted in Tel Aviv. How much a foreign leader's endorsement moves voters will be known only after the ballots are counted.