Trump Team Signals Willingness to Partner With Netanyahu Rivals Ahead of October 27 Vote
US officials indicate that key figures in the current administration are preparing for a political shift in Jerusalem, with internal polling data showing the opposition gaining a significant lead in the upcoming Israeli election.
By Olivia Miller ·
54. That is the number of seats the opposition bloc currently holds in the latest Maariv poll, a figure that signals a widening lead over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s camp, which has dropped to 48 seats with the national vote just three days away on October 27. This shift in public opinion is fueling a quiet but strategic pivot within the US administration, where top advisers to President Donald Trump are reportedly optimistic about the prospect of working with Netanyahu’s political rivals if the incumbent loses power. The development suggests that the White House is actively preparing for a potential change in leadership in Jerusalem, even as the official endorsement of the current prime minister remains in place.
The internal dynamics of the Trump administration reveal a complex relationship with the Israeli leadership. One senior adviser described Netanyahu as the devil the president knows, a phrase that encapsulates the pragmatic yet guarded stance held by many in the inner circle. According to reports from US officials, a significant portion of the president’s closest aides opposed the decision to endorse Netanyahu in the first place. Many of these figures believed the United States should have stayed entirely out of the Israeli electoral process. Now, as the election date approaches, those who preferred a hands-off approach are seeing their strategic hopes validated by the polling numbers.
Vice President JD Vance has also signaled a degree of distance from the race. When asked about the contest this week, Vance declined to explicitly back the prime minister. He stated that he is not attacking or endorsing Bibi Netanyahu, but rather emphasized that the president’s endorsement is the one that ultimately matters. This careful wording allows the administration to maintain its public support for the current leader while leaving room for a smoother transition if the opposition prevails.
Strains within the administration regarding Israeli policy have also become more visible. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack raised specific concerns about the Netanyahu government’s approach to Syria. Following Israeli military strikes on a base in the northern Idlib province, Barrack criticized the move. He denounced the attack as an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability. This public pushback highlights the differing views within the US diplomatic corps on how Israel should conduct its military operations in the region.
The State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has maintained a generally better relationship with the prime minister. However, his team believes Israel could do more to strengthen the Lebanese government. Rubio’s officials have also expressed frustration with what they view as Netanyahu’s failure to curb settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. These internal critiques suggest that even those who have a positive working relationship with the prime minister are urging a shift in policy, further complicating the political landscape ahead of the vote.
The current polling data provides a clear picture of voter sentiment. The Maariv survey indicates that the opposition bloc is gaining ground as the election nears. Beyond the seat counts, the survey offers insight into how Israelis might respond to a fragmented parliament. If the October 27 election fails to produce a clear governing majority, 60% of respondents would prefer a unity government. Only 23% favored holding another election, while 17% remained undecided.
Among those who support a unity government, there is a clear preference for who should lead it. The poll found that 33% of these respondents wanted a candidate from the opposition bloc to take the helm. In comparison, only 19% preferred Netanyahu to lead such a coalition. Another 8% supported a unity government regardless of who held the prime ministerial post. This data suggests that even in a coalition scenario, the opposition has a stronger mandate for leadership in the eyes of the public.
The head-to-head matchup for the prime ministerial position further underscores the shifting tides. The survey shows that Eisenkot leads Netanyahu with 49% support against 41% for the incumbent. This margin, while not insurmountable, is significant enough to signal that the race is closer than many expected. As the administration prepares for a potential change in Jerusalem, the focus will turn to how quickly US officials can establish a working relationship with a new government.
The coming days will be critical for both the Israeli political scene and US foreign policy. With the election scheduled for October 27, the administration’s dual approach of endorsing the current leader while preparing for the opposition reflects a pragmatic strategy. The goal appears to be ensuring that the United States maintains a strong partnership with Israel, regardless of which political faction emerges victorious. As polls show the opposition gaining momentum, the White House is positioning itself to be ready for a new era in Israeli leadership.
This strategic pivot does not signal a break with the current prime minister, but rather an acknowledgment of the political reality on the ground. The administration’s internal discussions highlight a desire to remain flexible and engaged with all major political players in Israel. As the votes are cast, the world will watch to see if the opposition can translate its polling lead into a governing mandate. For now, the US is preparing for both outcomes, ensuring that its relationship with Israel remains robust no matter who sits in the prime minister’s office.
