Trump Aides Prepare for 54-Seat Opposition Lead

The Israeli opposition bloc currently holds a 54-seat lead in the latest Maariv poll, a margin that has prompted senior advisers to President Donald Trump to draft a strategic response. US officials told Axios that the White House is optimistic about the potential to work with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political rivals if he loses the upcoming election. The plan represents a pivot from the administration's earlier stance, which heavily favored the incumbent leader.

One Trump adviser described the situation using a familiar metaphor, stating that Netanyahu is the devil the president knows. The report indicates that many of the president's closest aides opposed his decision to endorse Netanyahu for the race. These officials believed the United States should stay out of the Israeli election entirely, a view that has gained traction as polling numbers weaken for the current government.

Vice President JD Vance offered a more measured public position this week. He told reporters that he is neither attacking nor endorsing the prime minister. Vance noted that he believes the president's endorsement is ultimately what matters, though he did not commit his own name to the campaign.

Strains within the administration over Israeli policy have complicated the internal debate. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack raised concerns about the Netanyahu government's approach to Syria. After Israeli strikes hit a base in the northern Idlib province, Barrack denounced the attack as an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team maintain a better relationship with the prime minister. However, they believe Israel could do more to strengthen Lebanon's government. The State Department has also expressed frustration with what it views as Netanyahu's failure to curb settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.

The political dynamics in Israel continue to shift ahead of the October 27 vote. The Maariv survey found that 60% of respondents would prefer a unity government if the election fails to produce a clear governing majority. Only 23% favored holding another election, while 17% remained undecided. Among those who supported a unity government, 33% wanted a candidate from the opposition bloc to lead it, compared with 19% who preferred Netanyahu. Another 8% supported a unity government regardless of who led it.

In a direct head-to-head matchup for prime minister, Gadi Eisenkot led Netanyahu with 49% support against 41% for the incumbent. The poll results suggest a potential change in leadership that the White House is now actively preparing to address.