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, MON., OCT. 19, 2026No. 15 · Morning, 6:00 a.m. Israel6 a.m. Israel

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President Trump announced on Sunday, October 18, his support for Netanyahu, nine days before the October 27 election, according to Al Jazeera, Axios and France 24. According to the Forward and the Jerusalem Post, Trump described him as a strong leader and a partner in the confrontation with Iran. Fox News alone reported that Trump said that if a different leader is chosen, the United States would have to finish the job against Iran alone. Al Jazeera reported that Trump had earlier declined, in an interview with Time, to express support. Axios wrote that this is the first time a US president has openly backed a candidate in an Israeli election. Netanyahu thanked him on X, according to France 24.

In Israel the blocs are close to each other in the polls, so any event that moves even a few percent of voters in the final days can affect the makeup of the coalition. Netanyahu has presented his relationship with Trump as an asset in the campaign, so the endorsement illustrates his central argument to right-wing voters. The endorsement also raises a question about the American position on Iran, but the remark on that subject is reported by Fox News alone.

If you are undecided about how to vote, it is worth separating a foreign leader’s declaration of support from policy that could affect you, such as security aid and the American position on Iran. Check what each party says about relations with Washington, and not only about the American president. If you decide by the economy, you can also check the parties’ positions on defense spending.

According to the reports, those backing Netanyahu see the announcement as confirmation that the personal relationship with Trump is a security asset. Netanyahu thanked the president, and the support is presented as an explanation of why his continued tenure is vital for coordination on Iran.

NBC News wrote that public support for Trump in Israel has fallen following disagreements over Iran, so the announcement may not help significantly. Axios said the polls do not point to a clear path to power.

What was confirmed by three outlets is that the president openly announced support. The remark about Iran is reported by Fox News alone and so is not confirmed. Any effect on votes is also unconfirmed, and no one knows how many voters will change how they vote. It is worth following new polls and reactions from the rival camp.

Al Jazeera, Axios, France 24 (October 18, 2026); Fox News, Forward, Jerusalem Post, NBC News, AP

Foreign policy · Elections 2026Press ✓ 3 outlets (Al Jazeera, Axios, France 24) · the remark about Iran is reported by Fox News only

Trump announces support for Netanyahu nine days before the election, and the prime minister thanks him on X

The US president, who had so far avoided openly backing anyone, posted full support for the prime minister on Sunday, and Netanyahu thanked him on X.

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, October 18, his support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, nine days before Israel’s election, to be held on October 27, according to reports by Al Jazeera, France 24 and Axios. According to the Forward and the Jerusalem Post, in a post on Truth Social Trump described Netanyahu as a strong leader and a partner in the confrontation with Iran, and declared full support for him. Fox News alone reported that Trump said that if Israel chooses a different leader, the United States would have to finish the job against Iran alone, and this remark was not confirmed by another outlet. Globes wrote that for many weeks the president had avoided expressing support for any of the candidates, and Ynet and Haaretz wrote in their headlines that Trump is intervening in the election for the first time in favor of Netanyahu.

Al Jazeera reported that Trump had earlier declined, in an interview with Time, to express support for Netanyahu, and AP reported at the beginning of the month that, asked about it, he said: “I can only say that I am no longer involved in politics.” Axios wrote that this is the first time a US president has openly backed a candidate in an Israeli election. Netanyahu thanked Trump on X, France 24 reported. According to NBC News, public support for Trump in Israel has fallen following disagreements over Iran, so the endorsement may not give Netanyahu a significant boost. Axios said the polls do not point to a clear path to power, and that in most of them Netanyahu’s coalition is below the 61 seats needed to form a government.

Open the story and DailyDrop’s take

9days until the election on October 27

61seats needed to form a government

8outlets reported the endorsement

Ynet reported on Sunday that Netanyahu said Israel may in the future have to deal with a hostile American administration, which would threaten military aid and the strategic relationship with Washington. According to the report, he called for new alliances with India and with countries in Latin America. He said he intends to allocate about 450 billion additional shekels to defense spending over the coming decade. Ynet wrote that he presented this as a reason to use the remaining years of Trump’s term. JFeed said he told security officials that the goals do not depend on American consent. In an interview with i24NEWS he said all of Israel’s enemies want him to lose the election.

Spending 450 billion shekels over a decade is a budget decision that will affect taxes, public services and the priorities of any government, and so also citizens who are not involved in security. The report presents Netanyahu on the one hand as saying that the relationship with the United States may change and on the other as tied to it, so it is important to understand exactly what was said and in what context.

If you are planning a family budget, it is worth knowing that larger defense spending ultimately rests on taxes or on cuts elsewhere. Check whether the parties you are considering present a clear source of funding for such spending. Read the full quote and not only the headline.

According to the report, Netanyahu presents the spending as a way to reduce dependence on the Americans and strengthen security independence, noting that the goals do not depend on their consent. From this point of view, an early budget addition secures independent capabilities before a political change in America arrives.

Ynet’s report presents the remarks as an admission, for the first time, that Israel may lose the support of the United States, and Netanyahu said them in the midst of an election campaign. Those who see it this way point out that Netanyahu himself warns of a risk in the relationship with Washington, on which, according to this view, he built part of his campaign.

What was confirmed is that Netanyahu spoke of a risk in the relationship with the United States and of an addition of about 450 billion shekels for security. The details, the timetable and the source of funding were not confirmed, so for now the figure is an intention and not a budget. It is worth following for a formal proposal to the government or the Knesset.

Ynet, JFeed (October 18, 2026)

Security · Foreign policyPress ✓ 2 outlets · the full text of the remarks and the source of funding were not published

Netanyahu warns Israel may face a hostile US administration and plans an additional roughly 450 billion shekels in defense spending

Ynet reported on Sunday, nine days before the election, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel may in the future have to deal with a hostile American administration, which would threaten military aid and the strategic relationship with Washington. According to the report, he called for building new alliances, including with India and with countries in Latin America, and said he intends to allocate about 450 billion additional shekels to defense spending over the coming decade. Ynet wrote that Netanyahu presented this as a reason to use the remaining years of President Trump’s term to strengthen Israel’s standing. The JFeed site said Netanyahu told security officials that the goals he set do not depend on American consent, and that in an interview with i24NEWS he said all of Israel’s enemies want him to lose the election. The reports do not specify in which areas the money would be invested or what the source of funding is.

Open the story and DailyDrop’s take

450billion more shekels for defense over a decade

9days until the election

2new alliances mentioned: India and Latin America

Inside

MK Yitzhak Kroizer of Otzma Yehudit summoned for questioning at Lahav 433 on suspicion of assaulting a police officer at Mitzpe YerihoThe Times of Israel reported that the case was transferred to Lahav 433 after the Attorney General’s approval. Kroizer denies it and says he was the one attacked by police officers.Law · ✓ 2 outlets

Government required to approve an across-the-board cut of 2.6 billion shekels in ministry budgets for urgent defense procurementYnet said the Education Ministry would lose 285 million shekels and the National Security Ministry 225 million. Globes wrote that the sum is intended for defense procurement that was not detailed.Economy · ✓ 2 outlets

The Associated Press reported, in an analysis of AdImpact data, that Democrats and their allies have spent more than

63 million since September 1 on television ads that mention Trump. The ads mentioned him about 180,000 times on broadcast, cable and streaming. Republicans aired ads mentioning the president about 16,000 times, at an estimated cost of about

1 million. Haaretz presented the figures on Sunday ahead of the midterm elections. The Republican National Committee responded that Democrats are burning money.

The data show what issue each party wants the election to focus on, and so they affect what American voters will hear. Decisions in Washington on tariffs, energy and Iran also affect Israel.

Israeli readers can see in the data an indication of the direction American policy will take after the midterm elections. Those who follow American aid or trade can also check the candidates’ positions.

According to AP’s report, Democrats use the ads to tie Republican candidates to the president on issues such as tariffs and war with Iran.

According to the report, Republicans mostly avoid mentioning the president and keep silent on the subject. The Republican committee claims the Democrats’ spending is wasted.

The amounts and scale were confirmed according to AdImpact data. Whether this will have an effect at the ballot box was not confirmed. It is worth following midterm polls.

AP, Haaretz (October 16-18, 2026)

AP analysis: Democrats have spent more than $163 million on ads that mention Trump since September 1Republicans spent about $11 million on such ads, according to AdImpact data. Haaretz presented the figures ahead of the midterm elections in the United States.World · ✓ 2 outlets

Nine days before the election, neither bloc reaches 61 seats in the published pollsAxios wrote that in most polls Netanyahu’s coalition is below 61 seats. The Jerusalem Post said both blocs are struggling to reach a majority in the Knesset.Politics · ✓ 2 outlets

In early October Trump told Time he was no longer involved in politics, before announcing support for NetanyahuAP reported this on October 1, and Al Jazeera recalled the interview in its report on the announcement. Netanyahu has previously presented the relationship with Trump as an asset in the campaign.World · ✓ 2 outlets

Haaretz and the Times of Israel reported on Sunday that Ben-Gvir claimed Netanyahu promised the Europeans to keep Otzma Yehudit out of the next government. Ben-Gvir said that messages on the matter reached him from the Prime Minister’s Office. Netanyahu denied it, and according to Haaretz told reporters he intends to form a coalition with Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. Ynet reported that Netanyahu reassured Ben-Gvir that he would remain in the government. The Times of Israel and Middle East Monitor reported that Netanyahu ruled out appointing Ben-Gvir as defense minister or National Security Minister. The Jerusalem Post reported that people around Ben-Gvir estimate that Netanyahu decided to try to form a broad national government.

If neither bloc reaches 61 seats, the question of who will sit with whom determines who forms the government, and so statements about the makeup of the coalition are part of the campaign itself. Ben-Gvir wants to assure his voters that he will not give up his influence, and Netanyahu has to reassure both the right and voters who fear Ben-Gvir’s party.

If you are a right-wing voter, check what each party says about cooperation in a coalition and which portfolios it demands. If you are a centrist voter, note that Netanyahu was asked about a broad government without ruling it out. Statements before an election are not a contract, so it is worth comparing them with actual past conduct.

Ben-Gvir’s supporters argue that Likud is keeping the key portfolios for itself in order to push Otzma Yehudit out and bring in Eisenkot. According to this claim, Netanyahu’s denial does not answer the question of which ministries the partner will receive.

Netanyahu presents the matter as a denial, and said he will form a coalition with Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. From his point of view, limiting the portfolios is consistent with a joint coalition and does not indicate pushing anyone out.

What was confirmed is that the claim and its denial were published in several outlets. What was not confirmed is a commitment to the Europeans: no direct evidence was published, and each side is quoting itself. It is worth treating every statement on the subject as an opening position for negotiations after the election.

Haaretz, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, Ynet, Middle East Monitor (October 16-18, 2026)

Politics · CoalitionPress ✓ 5 outlets · no direct evidence was published of the alleged commitment to the Europeans

Ben-Gvir claims Netanyahu promised the Europeans to keep him out of the next government; Netanyahu denies it and says he will form a coalition with his party

Haaretz and the Times of Israel reported on Sunday that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed the prime minister promised European officials that his party, Otzma Yehudit, would not be part of the next government. According to Ben-Gvir, messages on the matter reached him from the Prime Minister’s Office. Netanyahu denied the claim, according to Haaretz, and told reporters he intends to form a coalition with Ben-Gvir and Smotrich after the election. Ynet reported that Netanyahu reassured Ben-Gvir that he would remain in the government, and that if he forms the next government it will be based on the current coalition and on the principles of the current government.

Separately, the Times of Israel and Middle East Monitor reported that Netanyahu ruled out appointing Ben-Gvir as defense minister or as National Security Minister in the next government. Otzma Yehudit said in response that Netanyahu’s intention to leave the Interior, National Security and Justice ministries in Likud hands indicates a plan to push it out of the coalition and bring in Gadi Eisenkot. The Jerusalem Post reported that people around Ben-Gvir estimate that Netanyahu made an initial decision to try to form a broad national government, even at the price of leaving Ben-Gvir outside the coalition.

Open the story and DailyDrop’s take

5outlets reported

3ministries Likud wants to keep in its hands, according to Otzma Yehudit

27.10election date

The European Union’s foreign policy spokesman said on Sunday that the Union strongly condemns attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including on European diplomats. The statement came a day after Belgian Foreign Minister Prévot condemned settler attacks on Palestinians, diplomats and a French mayor. The incident took place near Taybeh, where masked men confronted a delegation watching the olive harvest, and a window of one of the Belgian vehicles was smashed. Army Radio reported that forces arrived three hours after they were called. The Union expects full accountability. The Prime Minister’s Office said that the more serious the accusation, the more convincing evidence is required.

An attack on representatives of foreign states is a matter of foreign relations and not only of security in the West Bank, because diplomats are protected under international conventions. When the question arises between Israel and the European Union, talks on trade, joint research and positions in international organizations may also be affected. The Palestinian residents of the villages are the direct victims of every such attack.

If you follow relations with Europe or work in fields that depend on them, such as trade or research, it is worth checking whether there will be a further official response. Before you share a video or a quote, make sure it comes from several outlets.

The European Union and the Belgian government present the incident as part of a pattern of settler violence that demands accountability, and they call on Israel to stop the illegal expansion of settlements. According to them, the response time of the forces on the ground, three hours, raises a question about enforcement.

The Prime Minister’s Office stressed that violence against diplomats is unacceptable, but also that a serious accusation requires convincing evidence. This position distinguishes between general denunciation and accepting every claim as it stands.

What was confirmed is the condemnations by the Union and by Belgium, and that a window of a consular vehicle was smashed. The identity of the attackers was not confirmed, nor whether an investigation was opened. It is worth following for an announcement of an investigation and for clarification talks between ambassadors.

Haaretz English, Jerusalem Post, Anadolu, Yahoo News (October 18, 2026)

Foreign policy · Judea and SamariaPress ✓ 4 outlets · the exact time of the incident and the text of the official statement were not given

EU condemns attack on European diplomats near Taybeh and demands accountability; Netanyahu’s office: convincing evidence is required

The European Union’s foreign policy spokesman said on Sunday that the Union strongly condemns attacks by violent settlers in the West Bank, including attacks on European diplomats, according to Haaretz English, the Jerusalem Post and Anadolu. The statement came a day after Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned settler attacks on Palestinians, European diplomats and a French mayor. According to the reports, the incident took place near Taybeh, where masked men confronted a delegation of European representatives and local activists who were watching the olive harvest, and a window of one of the Belgian consular vehicles was smashed. Army Radio reported that army and police forces arrived at the scene three hours after they were called.

The European Union said it notes the condemnation by Israeli officials, and expects full accountability and steps to prevent further violence against Palestinians and journalists. It called on Israel to act in accordance with international humanitarian law and to stop the illegal expansion of settlements. The Prime Minister’s Office said that the more serious the accusation, the more convincing evidence is required, and added that violence against diplomats is unacceptable.

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3hours until forces reached the scene, according to Army Radio

4outlets reported

1day between the Belgian foreign minister’s condemnation and the EU statement

Economy · EnergyPress ✓ 3 outlets · it is unclear whether the decision is final and what the total connection quota is

Electricity Authority limits each new server farm to 200 megawatts, as developers request connections of 27,000 megawatts

Globes reported on Sunday that the plenum of the Electricity Authority decided that each new server farm would be limited to 200 megawatts. Calcalist reported separately that the Authority is working to limit each new data center to that size, and that the draft decision is expected to be released for public comment. According to Calcalist, developers requested grid connections totaling 27,000 megawatts, far beyond the country’s installed generation capacity. Calcalist said that planned projects such as Mega DC’s farm in Hadera, at 1,100 megawatts, and SDS’s in Nesher, at 875 megawatts, do not fit the limit. Calcalist and Runtime Wire also reported that the Authority instructed Noga, the grid operator, to stop handling new requests to connect server farms for 140 days, in projects requesting 8 megawatts or more.

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In brief

Kroizer of Otzma Yehudit summoned for questioning at Lahav 433On suspicion of assaulting a police officer in the riots at Mitzpe Yeriho on October 1 (Times of Israel, Globes)
Government required to approve a 2.6 billion shekel cut for defense procurementThe Education Ministry will lose 285 million shekels, according to Ynet; Globes said the procurement was not detailed
Democrats spent more than $163 million on ads that mention TrumpRepublicans spent about $11 million since September 1 (AP, Haaretz)
No bloc reaches 61 seats in the pollsNine days before the election (Axios, Jerusalem Post)
Trump in the Time interview: “I am no longer involved in politics”The remarks were made before the announcement of support for Netanyahu (AP, Al Jazeera)
A 140-day pause on connecting new server farmsThe Authority instructed Noga to stop handling requests of 8 megawatts and above (Calcalist, Runtime Wire)
Belgian foreign minister condemned settler attacks on diplomatsThe condemnation was published a day before the EU statement (Haaretz English, Jerusalem Post)

Seven minutes every morning, one front page

Unverified — what we could not confirm

Netanyahu promised the Europeans that Ben-Gvir would not be in the next government. This is Ben-Gvir’s claim, as reported by Haaretz and the Times of Israel. Netanyahu denied it, and no direct evidence of a commitment was published.

The rules limiting server farms have already been finally set. Globes wrote that the Electricity Authority plenum set a limit of 200 megawatts, and Calcalist reports a draft that will be released for public comment. The total connection quota was not verified.

Trump’s support will decide the election in Netanyahu’s favor. NBC News wrote that support for Trump in Israel has fallen and that the impact may be small. Axios said most polls show the coalition below 61 seats.

What to watch today

Today, Mon Oct. 19Keep following reactions from Netanyahu’s office, the European Union and Ben-Gvir, and the draft decision document of the Electricity Authority, which is to go out for public comment.This weekKroizer’s questioning at Lahav 433 and the government’s approval of the 2.6 billion shekel cut for defense procurement.October 27The Knesset election, which will test whether either bloc reaches 61 seats.For readersCheck whether a quote appears in several outlets before you share it, and distinguish between a candidate’s statement and attributing words to him.

Glossary · dotted words — economics, law, security and science terms explained in the context of the story. The list grows every day.

INSIDETrump announces support for Netanyahu nine days before the election, and the prime minister thanks him on XForeign policy · Elections 2026Netanyahu warns Israel may face a hostile US administration and plans an additional roughly 450 billion shekels in defense spendingSecurity · Foreign policyBen-Gvir claims Netanyahu promised the Europeans to keep him out of the next government; Netanyahu denies it and says he will form a coalition with his partyPolitics · CoalitionEU condemns attack on European diplomats near Taybeh and demands accountability; Netanyahu’s office: convincing evidence is requiredForeign policy · Judea and SamariaElectricity Authority limits each new server farm to 200 megawatts, as developers request connections of 27,000 megawattsEconomy · Energy