Vance reportedly opposed launching the US-Israeli war against Iran but has since defended the military campaign.

US Vice President JD Vance has said he will not follow President Donald Trump in endorsing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stressing that he intends to stay out of Israel’s electoral politics.

“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.

“I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the (US) midterms,” he added.

Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday. The Israeli premier, a right-wing ally of the US president, is seeking another term in Israel’s parliamentary election scheduled for October 27.

Vance’s Stance Contrasts With European Election Involvement

Vance’s reluctance to weigh in on Israel’s election contrasts with his involvement in European politics, where he has openly supported right-wing political figures.

Ahead of Hungary’s parliamentary election in April, Vance travelled to Budapest to support then-prime minister Viktor Orban, another prominent right-wing leader.

He has also expressed support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and met its leader, Alice Weidel, last year.

Vance is widely viewed as a potential successor to Trump in the 2029 US presidential election, although he has not formally announced any such bid.

Vance Defends US-Israeli Campaign Against Iran

Vance reportedly opposed launching the US-Israeli war against Iran but has since defended the military campaign.

The vice president also criticised Israeli officials who challenged a short-lived US-Iran ceasefire agreement in June.

“Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment,” Vance said at the time.

“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,” he added.

Vance’s latest remarks indicate that, despite his administration’s close ties with Netanyahu, he intends to focus on US elections rather than publicly backing a candidate in Israel’s upcoming parliamentary vote.