US Vice President JD Vance has said he will not take sides in Israel’s upcoming parliamentary election, distancing himself from President Donald Trump’s public endorsement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I’m not anti-endorsing him. I’m not pro-endorsing him. I’m not getting involved in Israeli elections,” Vance said during an interview with journalist Mark Halperin on Monday.
He added that his political focus remained on supporting candidates in the United States, particularly ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections.
Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, backing his right-wing ally as he seeks another term in office in Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election.
Vance’s decision to stay out of the Israeli electoral contest contrasts with his previous involvement in European politics. In April, he travelled to Budapest shortly before Hungary’s parliamentary election to campaign in support of then-prime minister Viktor Orban, another right-wing leader.
The US vice president has also expressed support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Last year, he met the party’s leader, Alice Weidel.
Widely viewed as a potential Republican presidential contender following Trump’s term, Vance has also faced scrutiny over his position on US military involvement in the Middle East.
Reports have suggested that he opposed launching the US-Israeli war against Iran, although he has since defended the military campaign.
Vance previously criticised Israeli officials who voiced objections to a temporary ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran in June.
At the time, he described Trump as the only world leader showing sympathy towards Israel, warning Israeli officials against alienating their country’s most powerful ally.
“Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment,” Vance said.
He added that if he were serving in the Israeli government, he would avoid attacking what he described as Israel’s only remaining powerful ally.
