Revealing an American scenario that would keep Netanyahu in power even if he loses the elections

Washington - Ofoq News - The Washington Post revealed that circles in the administration of US President Donald Trump are examining ways to keep Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in power, even if he loses the elections, by proposing the formation of a national unity government that brings him together with his rival, Gadi Eisenkot.

According to the newspaper, this proposal comes in light of opinion polls indicating that the two camps led by Netanyahu and Eisenkot may be unable to win 61 seats in the Knesset, the number required to form a majority government, which opens the door to alternative political scenarios, including the formation of a national unity government.

According to three informed sources quoted by the newspaper, those close to Trump secretly discussed with Israeli officials the possibility of forming a joint government, despite the advance achieved by Eisenkot over Netanyahu in opinion polls in recent weeks, and the division within the US administration regarding this option.

The newspaper added that Netanyahu pledged, during talks with American and European officials, the possibility of abandoning his far-right partners, led by Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and working to form a more moderate coalition if he joined a government jointly led by Eisenkot.

Netanyahu also informed American officials, according to the sources, that he is the most suitable Israeli partner to help resume the US-Israeli war against Iran, while his supporters believe that forming a stable and reliable government in Israel is a priority for the Trump administration.

But this scenario faces major obstacles, as Eisenkot, who pledged to remove Netanyahu from power, refuses to give him a new opportunity to remain in power.

Eisenkot and his camp held Netanyahu responsible for failing to prevent a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and criticized his management of the subsequent wars in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as his alliances with far-right parties and ultra-Orthodox parties opposed to the recruitment of religious people into the army.

The newspaper quoted a Likud Party official as saying that Trump wants a stable Israeli government that can be formed quickly after the elections.

On the other hand, it indicated a division within the US administration regarding Netanyahu. Some officials believe that he may adopt a more moderate approach without the influence of his extremist allies, while others do not trust his promises, citing what they describe as his record of abandoning his allies to maintain his power.

If Eisenkot refuses to enter into a partnership with Netanyahu, the latter may seek to exploit the political stalemate to remain in his position as head of a transitional government, with the hope of later pushing for new elections.

Last week, Eisenkot rejected the possibility of forming a unity government with Netanyahu, stressing that he would not work under his leadership even under an agreement to rotate prime minister, and threatening to resign if such an agreement was reached. But he later contented himself with saying that Israeli voters alone would determine the outcome of the elections.

Despite these moves, Israeli observers rule out reaching an agreement between the two men, in light of the lack of trust and Eisenkot’s declared commitment to removing Netanyahu from power, after he served as prime minister for about 19 years over the past three decades.

On the other hand, opinion polls indicate, according to the report, that Eisenkot may be able to form a government with the support of Arab parties that largely represent the Palestinian citizens of Israel, who constitute about a fifth of the population.