Netanyahu Leans on Trump Ties as Israel Heads to Elections

Israeli PM seeks to capitalize on relationship with former US president ahead of looming vote

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with former US President Donald Trump in a private Oval Office meeting, with the two leaders keeping details of their discussion under wraps. The meeting comes as Netanyahu faces a looming political crisis at home, with his coalition government at risk of collapse over a budget dispute. Netanyahu is seen as hoping to leverage his close ties with Trump to boost his reelection prospects, as he prepares for what could be an early election in Israel.

Why it matters

Netanyahu's relationship with Trump has been a key political asset for the longtime Israeli leader, who has touted his access to the former US president as proof of his foreign policy prowess. With his government on shaky ground, Netanyahu is likely hoping that another high-profile meeting with Trump will rally his base and distract from his domestic troubles ahead of a potential early election.

The details

The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump was held behind closed doors, with no reporters or cameras present. The two leaders released only a brief readout, reaffirming the "close coordination and relationship" between Israel and the US. However, the private nature of the talks has fueled speculation about potential disagreements, as Trump has at times pursued policies that diverged from Netanyahu's positions, such as on the Iran nuclear deal. Netanyahu has long opposed any nuclear agreement with Iran, while Trump has sought to revive diplomacy with Tehran.

  • The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump was brought forward by a week at Netanyahu's request.
  • Elections in Israel are mandated for late-October 2026, but the Knesset could be dissolved as early as June if the government fails to pass a budget by the March 31 deadline.

The players

Benjamin Netanyahu

The current Prime Minister of Israel, who is seeking reelection amid a political crisis in his governing coalition.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, whose close relationship with Netanyahu has been a key political asset for the Israeli leader.

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What they’re saying

“Publicly, Trump offers him hugs and meetings by demand. Netanyahu, in return, refrains from criticizing moves that he would be 'blasting as contrary to Israel's interests' had any other US president made them. With Trump, the insider said, 'he risks undercutting one of his central electoral assets'.”

— Veteran Israeli political insider (CNN)

What’s next

If Trump accepts Netanyahu's invitation to attend Israel's Independence Day celebrations in May, the Israeli PM is expected to time early elections to coincide with the visit, using the images of the two leaders together for his reelection campaign.

The takeaway

Netanyahu's meeting with Trump underscores the Israeli leader's efforts to leverage his relationship with the former US president as a key part of his reelection strategy, even as he faces mounting political challenges at home. The private nature of the talks has fueled speculation about potential disagreements between the two leaders, but Netanyahu appears determined to present their alliance as a selling point to voters.