Netanyahu's rivals criticize Trump's endorsement: 'He wants a Bibi puppet'

The leaders of the parties vying to oust Benjamin Netanyahu continued on Monday to react to U.S. President Donald Trump's endorsement of the prime minister, criticizing the president for picking sides while also being careful not to offend him. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said in an interview with Army Radio that the endorsement was "in the air," but directed his criticism at the prime minister. "Instead of pressuring Trump to attack Iran, Netanyahu begged him to post on X in support of him ahead of the election. Trump is a huge friend of Israel, in the next government we'll know [how] to work with him better than Netanyahu does," he said. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman suggested that the endorsement was more a matter of convenience for the president. "It's more convenient for President Trump to handle Israel with the help of a 'Bibi puppet,'" he told Radio 103FM on Monday. Democrats party leader Yair Golan dismissed the endorsement, telling Kan public radio that the Israeli public, not Trump, will decide who will be their next leader. Related Articles Will Trump's October surprise pay off for Netanyahu? Yossi Verter Why some Israeli Arab voters are preparing to break the election boycott Deiaa Haj Yahia Netanyahu isn't the only Israeli politician turning podcasts into propaganda Oded Yaron "Trump wasn't here on October 7 and didn't see the failures that occurred," Golan told the outlet. "The people of Israel, not President Trump, will decide who wins this election," he added. Golan accused the Netanyahu government of "wanting endless wars," charging that the prime minister "is endangering our relationship with our biggest ally. The story isn't what's happening in Washington, but rather what's happening in Israel," he said. On Sunday, Gadi Eisenkot – whose Yashar party is projected in polls to be the largest in the next Knesset – reacted similarly to Golan. Eisenkot said he has "great appreciation for the U.S. president's enormous contribution to Israel's security and to completing the hostage deal," but that "Israel is a democratic country, and only Israeli citizens will decide who the prime minister will be and who will form the government." He added that Washington "will know how to work with any elected government in Israel." Hours earlier, Trump said that "anyone other than Bibi" would be "the wrong Leader" for Israel . In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States may "soon finish the job" in Iran, adding that "if Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so." Close Trump and Netanyahu at the Knesset. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Trump and Netanyahu at the Knesset. Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Trump added that Netanyahu "has been Strong, Brave, and Brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel itself." Netanyahu subsequently thanked Trump for "his tremendous support and cooperation," adding in a post on X, "Together we shall finish the job." Sources familiar with the matter told Haaretz that Netanyahu's team has been working to secure the endorsement, but had little expectation of success. According to the sources, Netanyahu's associates did not expect Trump to actually endorse him until the last few days. Haaretz Podcast 'Israel should stay out of Trump’s oil war. Netanyahu is doing the opposite' play Haaretz Podcast 'Israel should stay out of Trump’s oil war. Netanyahu is doing the opposite' Volume: 0.5 1 X total -- : -- time 0:00 fast forward 15 play rewind 15 However, Trump said in a short phone interview to Axios on Sunday, "I was always going to do that. I just didn't want to do it too soon." He added that "it is important that Israel has a person they can count on," and that he and Netanyahu have a "good relationship" and would "continue to do well" together.