Israel Vote: White House Eyes Post-Netanyahu Path
Advisers to President Trump are preparing to engage with the Israeli opposition as polls show a shifting balance of power before the October 27 election.
By Evelyn Adeyemi ·
A divide has opened within the United States administration over the fate of Israel's prime minister.
White House advisers told Axios that they are optimistic about the possibility of working with the political opposition if Benjamin Netanyahu loses the upcoming election. One close aide to President Donald Trump described the current leadership dynamic by saying, "[Netanyahu] is the devil [Trump] knows." Despite this openness to change, many of the president's inner circle opposed his earlier decision to endorse the incumbent, arguing that the United States should have stayed out of the Israeli race entirely.
Vice President JD Vance navigated this tension this week when asked about the race. He clarified his position by stating, "I'm not attacking Bibi Netanyahu. I'm not endorsing Bibi Netanyahu. I think the president's endorsement is ultimately what matters." Vance's comments suggested a preference for the president's judgment over his own public stance on the Israeli leadership.
Strains over policy have also surfaced in diplomatic posts. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack voiced concern about the Netanyahu government's military actions in Syria. Following Israeli strikes on a base in the northern Idlib province, Barrack called the attack an "unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability." This criticism highlights a growing gap between the administration's diplomatic envoys and the Israeli government's on-the-ground strategy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team have maintained a closer relationship with the prime minister, though they hold reservations. According to the report, the State Department believes Israel could do more to strengthen Lebanon's government. Officials there have also expressed frustration with what they view as a failure by Netanyahu to curb settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.
The internal debate in Washington comes as polling data suggests the balance of power is shifting in Jerusalem. A new Maariv poll conducted ahead of the October 27 vote shows the opposition bloc widening its lead. The survey found the opposition now holds 54 seats, while Netanyahu's bloc has dropped to 48. This deficit places the incumbent on the defensive just days before voters head to the polls.
The survey also measured public preference for potential coalition structures. Sixty percent of respondents said they would prefer a unity government if the election does not produce a clear majority. Among those favoring a unity deal, 33% wanted a candidate from the opposition to lead, compared with 19% who preferred Netanyahu. In a direct matchup for the prime ministerial post, Yair Lapid's rival Gadi Eisenkot led the poll with 49% support, outpacing Netanyahu's 41%.
Source: The Jerusalem Post
