U.S. Vice President JD Vance says he will stay out of Israel’s upcoming election, declining to endorse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even as President Donald Trump has publicly expressed support for the Israeli leader. The decision highlights a difference in how the two senior figures approach Israeli politics and comes amid reported disagreements between Vance and Netanyahu over U.S. policy toward Iran.

In an interview with Mark Halperin on 2WAY Tonight, Vance said his attention was on American politics and the upcoming midterm elections, not Israel’s October 27 Knesset vote. He described Trump as an exceptionally influential endorser and said he would leave the Israeli election to Israeli voters.

Vance called Israel a strong American ally but acknowledged that the two countries do not always agree. His position has drawn attention because he previously traveled to Hungary to campaign for then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who ultimately lost his reelection bid.

Vance’s relationship with Netanyahu has also come under scrutiny following tensions over the administration’s approach to Iran. After Vance suggested that elements within Israel’s government had worked against diplomatic efforts with Tehran, Axios reported that Netanyahu challenged him during a meeting in Washington. Vance later characterized their conversation as direct but cordial.

The vice president has defended the administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran, arguing that Tehran must make substantive concessions on its nuclear program before a lasting agreement can be reached. He has said Washington remains open to diplomacy but will not accept promises without concrete action.

Vance’s refusal to endorse Netanyahu also comes amid broader debate over the direction of the Republican Party’s approach to Israel. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been more publicly prominent in expressing support for Israel, while Vance has maintained a more reserved public posture toward Netanyahu. His association with commentator Tucker Carlson, a frequent critic of Israel, has added to scrutiny of where Vance stands within that debate.

Vance said he doesn’t involve himself in foreign elections: “I endorse American candidates… I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.” Vance himself traveled to Budapest to attend a rally supporting and endorsing former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s reelection bid, which ultimately failed. We know where Vance stands.

Vice President JD Vance REFUSES to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, even after POTUS did, clearly stating, “I endorse American candidates… I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.”

Mark Halperin: Over the weekend, the president endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection in Israel. Do you endorse Benjamin Netanyahu?

Vice President Vance: “The president has the most effective endorsement in American or international political history. I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterm. So I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.”

Mark Halperin: “You don’t want to say one way or the other?”

Vice President Vance: “I’m not anti-endorsing it. I’m not pro-endorsing it. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections.”

A perfect answer!

— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) October 20, 2026