White House Drafts Israel Policy Shift
Internal reports indicate senior US officials are preparing diplomatic protocols for a post-Netanyahu government as polling data favors the opposition bloc.
By Harper Laurent ·
Senior advisers to US President Donald Trump have drafted plans to engage with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political rivals should he lose Israel's election on October 27. US officials told Axios that the team views the opposition as a viable partner for future negotiations, despite the president's recent endorsement of the incumbent leader.
Tensions within the administration regarding Israeli policy have complicated the White House's position. Many of the president's closest aides opposed endorsing Netanyahu, arguing the United States should remain neutral in the race. One adviser described the situation by saying, "[Netanyahu] is the devil [Trump] knows," reflecting the internal friction over maintaining the relationship with the current government.
Vice President JD Vance distanced himself from the presidential endorsement this week. He told reporters, "I'm not attacking Bibi Netanyahu. I'm not endorsing Bibi Netanyahu. I think the president's endorsement is ultimately what matters." Vance's remarks highlighted the split between the vice presidency and the president's public stance on the Israeli leadership.
Diplomatic strains have also emerged over regional military actions. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack criticized the Netanyahu government's operations in Syria, specifically strikes on a base in the northern Idlib province. Barrack labeled the attack an "unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability," a view that contrasts with the more supportive tone from other parts of the State Department.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team maintain a closer relationship with the prime minister but have expressed dissatisfaction with specific policy outcomes. They believe Israel could do more to strengthen the Lebanese government. Additionally, State Department officials have voiced frustration over what they perceive as Netanyahu's lack of effort to curb settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.
The internal deliberations come as support for Netanyahu declines in national polls. A recent survey by Maariv shows the opposition bloc widening its lead to 54 seats, while Netanyahu's bloc has dropped to 48. The data suggests a shifting political dynamic that US officials are now actively preparing to address.
The Maariv poll also indicates a preference for coalition building if no single party secures a majority. Sixty percent of respondents support a unity government, while 23% favor a second election. Among those preferring a unity government, 33% want a candidate from the opposition bloc to lead, compared to 19% who prefer Netanyahu. In a direct matchup for the premiership, opposition leader Eisenkot leads Netanyahu with 49% support to 41%.
