Trump Allies Push for Israeli Government Overhaul

Sources close to former U.S. President Donald Trump are reportedly discussing the formation of a new, more moderate Israeli government, potentially excluding ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. This shift is seen by some in Trump's circle as necessary to achieve breakthroughs in Middle East diplomacy, including normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia. American billionaire Bill Ackman, a Trump supporter with ties to his administration, has publicly advocated for this scenario, believing a more moderate government would improve Israel's international standing and facilitate the expansion of the Abraham Accords. Ackman supports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remaining in office but insists on a coalition reshuffle, arguing that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich hinder foreign policy initiatives.

According to Maariv, some U.S. administration officials believe the current Israeli government's composition obstructs Trump's regional plans. Specifically, the normalization deal with Saudi Arabia is seen as requiring difficult concessions from Israel, particularly on the Palestinian issue, which a government reliant on Ben-Gvir and Smotrich might be unable to make. Disagreements also persist between Washington and Jerusalem on other fronts, with special envoys reportedly dissatisfied with the pace of Trump's Gaza plan implementation and differing views on Syria policy. Additionally, some U.S. officials favor strengthening the Lebanese government.

Another scenario being considered involves a rotational prime ministership, where Netanyahu would serve for an initial period before handing over the role to another leader. This would aim to maintain continuity while allowing a new figure to advance regional agreements. Israeli and American sources suggest Netanyahu has previously expressed interest in a broad national unity government to Trump, intending to pursue it after elections. The Israeli Ambassador to Washington, Yehiel Leitersdorfer, also publicly stated Netanyahu prefers a unity government over the current coalition and is reportedly no longer willing to keep Ben-Gvir as National Security Minister, a move that has drawn criticism from Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party.

However, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has denied reports of the U.S. administration attempting to form a unity government, emphasizing Washington's non-interference in Israeli elections. Practical negotiations with the Israeli opposition have not yet occurred, and the success of any such initiative depends heavily on election outcomes. If Netanyahu's bloc secures a majority, he may be given the first opportunity to form a government, though opposition leaders like Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett have previously opposed joining his coalition. Ultra-Orthodox parties' demands regarding military conscription also present a hurdle, meaning even a victory for the current bloc may not grant Netanyahu a free hand. The idea of a new Israeli government remains a discussed scenario within Trump's circle, but concrete agreements are absent, and its formation hinges on election results and the willingness of Israeli politicians to adjust their positions. Separately, Eyal Zamir reportedly had a sharp disagreement with Netanyahu over Iran policy.