Trump Staffers Ready to Engage Israeli Opposition if Netanyahu Loses Vote

White House advisers are preparing to engage with the Israeli political opposition if Benjamin Netanyahu loses the upcoming election. US officials told Axios that the president's inner circle is optimistic about potential cooperation with Netanyahu's rivals, marking a strategic adjustment as the vote approaches.

One adviser characterized the current dynamic by stating, "[Netanyahu] is the devil [Trump] knows." The report noted that many of the president's closest counselors opposed his decision to endorse the prime minister. They believed he should have remained neutral during the campaign.

Vice President JD Vance declined to personally back Netanyahu this week. When asked about the race, Vance said, "I'm not attacking Bibi Netanyahu. I'm not endorsing Bibi Netanyahu. I think the president's endorsement is ultimately what matters." His comments suggest the administration is positioning itself to work with whoever takes power in Jerusalem.

Friction within the administration over Israeli policy has emerged in recent weeks. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack criticized the Netanyahu government's approach to Syria. He described recent Israeli strikes on a base in the northern Idlib province as an "unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team maintain a stronger relationship with the prime minister but hold differing views on specific policies. They believe Israel could do more to strengthen the Lebanese government. The State Department has also expressed frustration regarding what they view as Netanyahu's failure to curb settler attacks in the West Bank.

These internal discussions coincide with a weakening of Netanyahu's polling position. A Maariv poll conducted ahead of the October 27 vote shows the opposition bloc widening its lead to 54 seats. Netanyahu's bloc has dropped to 48 seats in the same survey.

The poll indicates a preference for coalition building. Sixty percent of respondents said they would prefer a unity government if the election does not produce a clear majority. Only 23% favored another election, while 17% remained undecided. Among those supporting a unity government, 33% wanted a candidate from the opposition bloc to lead it, compared with 19% who preferred Netanyahu. In a head-to-head matchup, opposition leader Eisenkot leads Netanyahu with 49% support against 41%.