Trump Circle Prepares to Pivot to Israeli Opposition as Election Nears
White House staff are positioning themselves to work with Netanyahu's rivals if the opposition bloc wins the October 27 vote, according to US officials.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
Tensions are rising within the White House over the future of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his country approaches a decisive election. US officials told Axios that the president's closest advisers are optimistic about the potential to build a working relationship with Netanyahu's political opposition should he lose power.
The shift in posture reflects growing internal friction over the president's decision to endorse the incumbent. Many senior aides believe the administration should have remained neutral in the race. One Trump adviser summarized the dynamic by noting that Netanyahu is the devil the president knows.
Vice President JD Vance has avoided taking a direct side in the campaign. When questioned this week, Vance stated he was neither attacking nor endorsing Netanyahu, adding that the president's endorsement is what matters most. This cautious language aligns with the broader strategy of keeping options open regardless of the outcome.
Diplomatic strains are also evident on the ground. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack criticized the Netanyahu government's military actions in Syria. Following strikes on a base in the Idlib province, Barrack called the attack an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team maintain a closer relationship with the prime minister. However, they view Israel's role in strengthening Lebanon's government as insufficient. Their team has also expressed frustration with what they perceive as a failure to curb settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.
The political math supports the possibility of a change in leadership. A new poll from Maariv shows the opposition bloc widening its lead to 54 seats, while Netanyahu's bloc has dropped to 48. The margin is enough to form a government without a coalition partner.
The survey also reveals public preference for stability over another vote. Sixty percent of respondents would prefer a unity government if the election fails to produce a clear majority. Among those favoring unity, 33 percent want a candidate from the opposition bloc to lead, compared to 19 percent who prefer Netanyahu. In a head-to-head matchup, former Defense Minister Benny Gantz's ally Eisenkot leads Netanyahu with 49 percent support against 41 percent.
