US Makes Contact with Israeli Opposition, Speculation Over Netanyahu's Replacement Intensifies
The United States government is reportedly making contact with a number of Israeli opposition figures. This move follows increasing discord between Washington and Tel Aviv.
Citing Israel’s Channel 12, as reported by Middle East Monitor on Monday (22/6/2026), officials in President Donald Trump’s circle are said to assess that there is a possibility of change within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. This situation is reportedly prompting the US to open informal contacts with opposition leaders.
Among the opposition figures said to be involved in communications with Washington are Naftali Bennett, the former Israeli prime minister who now leads the Together Party, and Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the Yashar Party.
‘The US administration has expressed concern about hardline elements within the Netanyahu government and is seeking to build a new base of popular support ahead of elections,’ Channel 12 reported on Sunday (21/6) local time.
According to the Channel 12 report, the Israeli opposition has been trying to build relations with the Trump administration in recent months and has achieved ‘limited success with officials critical of Netanyahu’s policies’.
‘The American move aims to exploit a political opportunity given the crisis of confidence with the current Israeli government,’ Channel 12 stated in its report.
Channel 12 reported that the US sees a need to build ‘new informal trust mechanisms’ with Israel, although Trump himself has not yet endorsed any other Israeli politicians.
A poll published by the Israeli newspaper Maariv on Friday (19/6) local time showed that the Israeli opposition could form a new government if elections were held today, predicted to win 61 seats in the Knesset against 49 seats for Netanyahu’s coalition.
The poll also predicted that Arab parties in Israel would win 10 seats in the upcoming elections, scheduled for October this year.
There has been no immediate response from either the US or Israel regarding the report.
This report emerges as the US and Iran conduct further negotiations in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan, to permanently end the war triggered by a joint US-Israeli attack on Tehran in late February. A temporary agreement signed by Washington and Tehran calls for a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, the Israeli government has flatly rejected the call and insists it is not bound by the US-Iran deal.
Netanyahu has stressed that Israel will not withdraw its forces from occupied areas in southern Lebanon.