Trump Allies Seek Israeli Cabinet Shift Without Two Ministers

American officials close to President Donald Trump are advocating for a new, moderate Israeli unity government that would remove National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from the cabinet. This push comes as the administration looks to finalize major diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East during the remaining two years of the current term.

Bill Ackman, the billionaire investor who supported Trump in the presidential election, publicly called for this shift on Sunday. In a social media post, Ackman argued that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich harm Israel's international image and hinder its ability to expand the Abraham Accords. He stated that a broader coalition would help Israel restore its standing and improve relations with both major US political parties.

Washington sources indicate that Trump's Middle East strategy relies heavily on a potential normalization deal with Saudi Arabia. This agreement is considered difficult to secure while Ben-Gvir and Smotrich hold cabinet positions. Riyadh has also demanded tangible progress on the Palestinian issue, meaning a simple cabinet reshuffle does not guarantee a final pact.

Some advisers have proposed a rotation deal to solve the leadership impasse. Under this plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would serve for the first year, followed by a different leader who would negotiate with the Saudis before Trump's term ends. Supporters believe this structure provides initial continuity while eventually handing regional diplomacy to a leader less tied to Netanyahu's current partners.

Tensions between the two governments have already surfaced. Special Envoy Tom Barrick disagrees with Israel's approach to Syria, and officials around Secretary of State Marco Rubio have expressed frustration over inaction regarding violence in Judea and Samaria. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are reportedly impatient with the pace of Netanyahu's implementation of the Gaza plan.

Netanyahu has told Trump he prefers a unity government and will work toward one after the upcoming election. Israel's Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, confirmed that Netanyahu would not serve as national security minister again. However, leaders of the Yashar party and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett remain opposed to serving under Netanyahu. Otzma Yehudit officials reacted sharply to the prospect of a coalition that might include Gadi Eisenkot at their expense.

Trump has not formally endorsed the initiative. He publicly backed Netanyahu on October 18, though Vice President JD Vance did not join that endorsement. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denied any active American effort to push for a unity government, stating that the administration does not intervene in Israeli elections. If Netanyahu's bloc secures 61 mandates, he will likely get the first chance to form a government, though it remains doubtful that Bennett or Eisenkot will join.

The path forward remains complex. Ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding the passage of a conscription bill before coalition talks begin. Even within the right-wing bloc, few expect Eisenkot or Bennett to agree to a partnership they have pledged to avoid, making the formation of a broad unity government a significant political hurdle.