Despite Trump’s skepticism, Netanyahu is running in the upcoming legislative elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to run in the next legislative elections expected to be held in September, according to what his right-wing Likud party announced on Wednesday.

Netanyahu, 76 years old, spent nearly two decades as prime minister over several terms, and is the longest serving prime minister in the history of the Hebrew state. He has headed the current government since 2022.

The Prime Minister, who led Israel in a series of wars, the most important of which has been ongoing since 2023, is facing trial in Israel on suspicion of corruption.

The party said on the Telegram platform, “Prime Minister Netanyahu will run in the upcoming elections, and God willing, he will win them.”

The Likud Party’s confirmation that Netanyahu would run in the upcoming elections came after US President Donald Trump doubted whether the Israeli Prime Minister would do so.

“I don’t know, it’s been a busy one,” Trump told ABC News on Tuesday, in response to a question about whether Netanyahu would continue his political career. He added, “Does he want to continue? As you know, he is a wartime prime minister.”

In early June, the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset) approved dissolving itself in preparation for early elections.

Netanyahu has served as prime minister for more than 18 years since 1996, and is seeking a new term despite judicial confrontations over suspicions of corruption. He hopes to obtain a pardon from Israeli President Isaac Herzog.