President Donald Trump on Wednesday congratulated Israel’s incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his projected victory in the country’s elections.

“I’d like to congratulate Bibi Netanyahu, it looks like that race has been won by him,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House. “It may be a little early, but it looks like he’s won it in good fashion.”

“He’s been a great ally and he’s a friend,” Trump said. “That was a well thought out race.” Trump later called Netanyahu on the phone to congratulate him, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.