The Likud party has scrapped an election campaign that highlighted Prime Minister Netanyahu's close personal ties with President Trump, according to a party source reported by the Times of Israel. The source said the party concluded last week that Trump is not helping Netanyahu's standing with the Israeli public amid waning U.S. popularity. The decision follows earlier reports that Likud was shelving the campaign; this report confirms the scrapping.
The Times of Israel reports, citing a Likud party source, that the party has scrapped an election campaign emphasizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. The source said the party concluded last week that Trump's image in Israel is not helping Netanyahu's electoral prospects, amid declining approval ratings for the U.S. president. This follows a string of reports about the growing rift between Netanyahu and Trump, including Trump's public doubts about Netanyahu's candidacy and the U.S.-Iran deal that Netanyahu opposed. The campaign's cancellation marks a concrete shift in Likud's electoral strategy, as the party moves away from a centerpiece of its messaging earlier this year.
2 developments
- StrongLikud confirms Netanyahu will run in next election, pushing back against Trump's doubts
- DevelopingAnalyst: Netanyahu's campaign bet on Trump faces setback as popularity wanes
- StrongLikud primaries reportedly set to be canceled; Netanyahu to determine list
- DevelopingLikud members furious at Netanyahu amid warnings that canceled primaries would end the party
Source and signal
- Internal intake