Likud Answers Trump: G-d Willing, Bibi is Running and Winning

The Likud party clarified Wednesday morning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to run in the next election, following an unexpected comment from U.S. President Donald Trump that raised questions about Netanyahu’s political future.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu will run in the upcoming election, and with God’s help, he will win,” the Likud said in a statement.

The response came after Trump expressed uncertainty in an interview with ABC about whether Netanyahu would choose to continue in politics. “I don’t know, he’s had an amazing career,” Trump said. “Does he want to continue? Because, you know, he’s a wartime prime minister.”

Trump’s remarks drew attention in Israel’s political system, where parties are already preparing for the possibility of elections. Polls have shown a close race between the right-wing bloc and the parties opposed to Netanyahu, increasing pressure on coalition leaders as the campaign atmosphere grows stronger.

The Likud statement was meant to remove any ambiguity and make clear that Netanyahu does not plan to step aside. The party framed his candidacy as certain, despite speculation about the timing of the next election and the future shape of the right-wing camp.

At the same time, Netanyahu is reportedly working to organize the bloc ahead of the campaign. According to recent reports, he is trying to promote a technical merger between Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, out of concern that Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party may fail to cross the electoral threshold.

Under the reported proposal, Ben Gvir and Smotrich would run together and then be able to split after the election. In return, each would receive a reserved spot for one of their representatives on the Likud list.

The concern in Netanyahu’s camp is that a separate run by Smotrich could waste right-wing votes and weaken the bloc. Similar concerns have shaped Netanyahu’s strategy in previous election campaigns, when he worked to prevent smaller right-wing parties from falling below the threshold.

Trump’s comment added another layer to the political uncertainty, but Likud’s answer was direct: Netanyahu is staying in the race.