White House staff ready to work with Israeli opposition if Netanyahu loses

US officials indicate they are prepared to shift their diplomatic approach if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loses the upcoming election.

Trump advisers view the opposition as a viable partner, despite internal debates over the president's recent endorsement of the incumbent. One adviser described Netanyahu as the devil Trump knows, suggesting a preference for dealing with familiar figures even if they are currently popular. Many of the president's closest aides opposed the endorsement, believing the US should have stayed out of the race entirely.

Vice President JD Vance signaled this flexibility during a press conference this week. He stated that he was neither attacking nor endorsing the prime minister, noting that the president's view held the final weight. This public stance aligns with reports that the administration is ready to pivot its strategy based on the election results scheduled for October 27.

Disagreements within the administration center on specific policy issues regarding Israel's military actions. Ambassador Tom Barrack criticized recent Israeli strikes in Syria's Idlib province, calling the move an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability. His comments highlight a divide between those who support the current government and those who question its tactical decisions in the region.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio maintains a stronger relationship with Netanyahu but has expressed frustration with the government's handling of West Bank security. His team believes Israel could do more to curb settler attacks and strengthen Lebanon's government. These diplomatic tensions suggest that a change in Israeli leadership could bring a different dynamic to US-Israeli negotiations.

Recent polling data supports the likelihood of a political shift. A Maariv survey indicates the opposition bloc has widened its lead to 54 seats, while Netanyahu's bloc has dropped to 48. The same poll found that 60 percent of respondents would prefer a unity government if no clear majority emerges, with 23 percent favoring another election and 17 percent undecided.

Among those supporting a unity government, 33 percent wanted an opposition candidate to lead it, compared to 19 percent who preferred Netanyahu. In a direct head-to-head matchup for prime minister, Gadi Eisenkot led the incumbent with 49 percent support against 41 percent, according to the survey results.