Vice President JD Vance on Monday declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection, a step apart from President Donald Trump, who backed Netanyahu over the weekend, CNN, the Washington Examiner and NBC News reported.

"I endorse American candidates, and that's where I'm focused on is the midterm," Vance said in an interview with journalist Mark Halperin aboard Air Force Two, CNN reported. "I'm not getting involved in Israeli elections." Pressed again, he said: "I'm not anti-endorsing him. I'm not pro-endorsing him."

Vance laughed before answering, the Examiner reported. He also praised Trump's support. "The president has the most effective endorsement in American or international political history," he said, according to the Examiner and NBC.

Trump posted his "Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu" on Truth Social, NBC reported. "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," Trump wrote, tying his support to Netanyahu's stance against Iran. Earlier this month, Trump had held off, telling Time, "I'm not involved in [Israeli] politics anymore," CNN reported.

Israel votes Oct. 27, the Examiner reported.

Vance's stance stands out because he did get involved in another foreign race this year. He traveled to Hungary to campaign for then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whom Trump also endorsed. Orbán lost in April after 16 years in power, NBC reported. The Examiner noted that the U.S. support "didn't do much."

The comments came as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced trip to Israel and met Monday evening with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, CNN reported, citing sources.

Vance also said Monday that he has not decided whether he will run for president in 2028, NBC reported.

What we know: Vance declined to take a side in Israel's election after Trump endorsed Netanyahu.
What we don't: Whether Vance's stance reflects any policy split with Trump on Israel.