Trump Team Preps For Israeli Opposition

White House aides are preparing to work with the Israeli opposition if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loses the upcoming election.

US officials told Axios that the president's inner circle is optimistic about building relationships with Netanyahu's political rivals. One adviser described the prime minister as the devil the president knows. This sentiment reflects a broader desire among some close advisors to distance the administration from a potential losing candidate.

The path to this preparation began with internal disagreements over electoral strategy. Many of the president's closest advisers opposed his decision to endorse Netanyahu. They believed the United States should remain neutral during the Israeli race. Vice President JD Vance echoed this cautious stance earlier this week. He told reporters that he was not attacking or endorsing Netanyahu, noting that the president's support is the only one that truly matters.

Tensions within the administration regarding Israeli policy have also surfaced in recent weeks. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack criticized the Netanyahu government's approach to Syria. Following Israeli strikes on a base in the northern Idlib province, Barrack called the move an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team have maintained a functional relationship with the prime minister. However, his staff believes Israel should do more to strengthen the Lebanese government and curb settler attacks in the West Bank.

The latest Maariv poll indicates that Netanyahu's position is weakening ahead of the October 27 vote. The opposition bloc has widened its lead to 54 seats, while Netanyahu's bloc has dropped to 48. This numerical shift gives the opposition a clear advantage in the upcoming legislative count.

The survey also provides insight into public sentiment regarding a potential deadlocked parliament. Sixty percent of respondents prefer a unity government if no clear majority emerges. Only 23% favor holding another election, with 17% remaining undecided. Among those supporting a unity government, 33% want a candidate from the opposition bloc to lead it. Another 8% support a unity government regardless of who is in charge, while 19% prefer Netanyahu.

In a direct head-to-head matchup for the prime minister role, Benny Gantz leads the incumbent. The poll found that 49% of respondents support Gantz, compared with 41% for Netanyahu. This margin suggests a competitive race that could result in a fragmented Knesset requiring coalition negotiations.