Israel Election: White House Aides Prep for Opposition Government
Polling data shows the opposition bloc holding a six-seat lead ahead of the October 27 vote, prompting senior US advisers to draft engagement strategies for a post-Netanyahu scenario.
By Kavya Robinson ·
US advisers to President Donald Trump are positioning the administration to collaborate with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political rivals if he loses the upcoming Israeli election.
Senior officials told Axios that the White House team views a potential change in leadership in Jerusalem as a workable outcome. One adviser summarized the internal sentiment by noting that Netanyahu is the devil Trump knows.
Tensions have emerged within the administration regarding its stance on the race. Many of the president’s closest aides opposed the decision to endorse the prime minister, arguing that the US should remain neutral. Vice President JD Vance reflected this cautious approach when speaking to reporters this week. He stated that he was not attacking or endorsing Bibi Netanyahu, adding that the president’s endorsement is what matters.
Diplomatic friction over Israel’s regional policy has further complicated the relationship. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack criticized the Netanyahu government’s military operations in Syria. After strikes hit a base in the northern Idlib province, Barrack called the action an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team maintain closer ties to the prime minister but harbor specific grievances. They believe Israel could do more to strengthen the government in Lebanon. The State Department has also expressed frustration with what it views as a failure by Netanyahu to curb settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.
The latest polling from Maariv indicates that the opposition bloc has widened its lead to 54 seats. Netanyahu’s bloc has dropped to 48 seats. The survey was conducted ahead of the vote scheduled for October 27.
The poll suggests a preference for a coalition if no single party wins a majority. Sixty percent of respondents favored a unity government, while 23% preferred another election. Among those supporting a unity government, 33% wanted a leader from the opposition bloc, compared with 19% who preferred Netanyahu. In a direct comparison for the prime minister role, Gadi Eisenkot led Netanyahu with 49% support against 41%.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
