Trump Seeks to Influence Israeli Government Formation

Sources close to U.S. President Donald Trump report that he intends to personally oversee efforts to prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from forming a government that includes the "Hatziyonut Hadatit" party led by Bezalel Smotrich and the "Otzma Yehudit" party led by Itamar Ben-Gvir. These sources stated that forming a government with Itamar Ben-Gvir is "out of the question." The sources claim Trump will not abandon his support for Netanyahu without reciprocation and is likely to back a rotating national unity government that could expand the Abraham Accords. Trump commented on the preliminary election results, stating that his support for Netanyahu "helped him a lot." He told reporters that his endorsement, when announced, significantly aided the Israeli Prime Minister. Preliminary results from Tuesday's parliamentary elections showed a very close race, with Netanyahu's bloc leading his competitor Gadi Eisenkot but lacking a clear majority to form a government. Trump noted he was informed that Netanyahu "did very well" and the outcome was extremely close, potentially ending in a tie or a win. He had previously shared on his "Truth Social" platform that his endorsement shifted the election's balance, turning a potential decisive loss into a tie or even a victory.