US Contacts Israeli Opposition Amid Potential Netanyahu Replacement

The United States government is reportedly reaching out to Israeli opposition leaders as it anticipates a potential shift in leadership away from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This outreach stems from growing disagreements between the US and Israel, particularly concerning the ongoing conflicts in Iran and Lebanon.

According to Israel's Channel 12, US officials believe Netanyahu's government might be replaced. Consequently, informal contacts have been established with opposition figures such as Naftali Bennett, leader of the right-wing Together Party, and Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party. The US administration has expressed concerns about hardline elements within Netanyahu's government and seeks to build a new public support base ahead of elections.

Israeli opposition parties have been working to build relationships with the US administration in recent months, though with limited success among officials critical of Netanyahu's policies. The US aims to leverage political opportunities amid a crisis of confidence in the current Israeli government, seeking to establish new informal trust mechanisms. Meanwhile, a recent poll by Maariv newspaper indicates that the opposition could win 61 parliamentary seats if elections were held today, compared to 49 for Netanyahu's bloc. Arab parties are also expected to secure 10 seats in the October 2026 elections.