US Vice President JD Vance has refused to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in next week's election, putting him at odds with Trump, who publicly backed the Israeli leader's reelection campaign on Sunday. JD says he has no intention of getting involved in Israel's vote, even though Trump has already made his preferred candidate pretty clear.

Speaking during an interview with Mark Halperin on 2WAY Tonight, published Monday, JD acknowledged Trump's considerable political influence but made it clear that his own attention remains on America's upcoming midterm elections.

“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 in the midterms.”

JD Vance refuses to back Netanyahu despite Trump's endorsement

JD was careful to explain that refusing an endorsement didn't mean he opposed Benjamin's candidacy.

“I’m not anti-endorsing him. I’m not pro-endorsing him. I’m just not getting involved in Israeli elections.”

Trump, meanwhile, described Benjamin as a great wartime leader and peace partner in his Sunday Truth Social endorsement, particularly praising their cooperation against Iran.

Benjamin thanked Trump publicly before releasing footage Monday of a phone conversation between them, where Trump told him:

“I think you're going to have a tremendous victory, actually. You're the man I want by my side, Bibi.”

Bibi meanwhile said:

“Donald, we have a job to finish. We'll finish it together. We'll finish it, and no one else will do it.”

Neither leader explained exactly what remained unfinished, although their conversation raised the possibility of another joint military operation against Iran.

Benjamin again identified Tehran's clerical government as Israel's biggest threat. That government remains in power nearly eight months after American and Israeli forces launched their offensive.

Interestingly, JD hasn't always avoided foreign election campaigns.

He traveled to Budapest in April to campaign for then-Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who subsequently lost reelection after 16 years in office.

During last year's Munich Security Conference, JD also met Alice Weidel, leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany, which Elon Musk was publicly supporting.

Israel's upcoming election will be its first national vote since Hamas attacked the country in late 2023.

The political atmosphere has changed considerably since then. American public attitudes toward Israel have become increasingly negative, while Benjamin's handling of the war has fueled arguments among Republicans and Democrats.

Vance previously warned Israel about losing American support

JD had already expressed concerns about Israel's increasingly isolated international position during a June press conference.

“Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment. If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.”

JD added that “Anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the president of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in.”

His warning followed substantial American military assistance to Israel, with JD suggesting that such support shouldn't automatically be taken for granted.

White House spokesperson Olivia Wales subsequently maintained that Trump and JD shared the same position on Israel.

She highlighted their military cooperation during Operation Epic Fury, which Washington says severely damaged Iranian military capabilities over 38 days.

Meanwhile, Iran and Russia are discussing closer cooperation as tensions continue.

Iranian security official Gen. Mohsen Rezaei met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran on Monday.

Mohsen called for stronger regional security cooperation alongside economic initiatives, including completing transportation corridors between the countries.

Sergey condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran as illegal during his first visit to Tehran since Washington began its war nearly eight months ago.