61 Seats: The Threshold for a Trump Backed Israeli Cabinet Shift
US advisers and Bill Ackman are pushing for a unity government that excludes two key ministers, but Israeli leaders remain skeptical of the proposal.
By Aaron Foster ·
Voices close to President Donald Trump are promoting a new structure for Israel’s government that would exclude National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. This group includes American billionaires and political figures who argue that a broader, more moderate coalition is necessary to advance US Middle East plans. The proposal centers on creating a unity cabinet that still keeps Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in power, but with different partners.
Bill Ackman, a hedge fund manager who supported Trump’s election campaign, publicly backed the idea on Sunday. In a social media post, Ackman stated that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich damage Israel’s global image. He argued that removing them would help Israel restore its standing, expand the Abraham Accords, and improve relations with both major US parties. Ackman praised Netanyahu’s relationship with Trump and suggested the prime minister should stay in office with a new set of coalition partners.
Trump’s advisers believe this shift is essential for his remaining two years in office. Their primary goal is a historic normalization deal with Saudi Arabia. They argue that it is difficult to advance such a deal while Ben-Gvir and Smotrich hold cabinet positions. Riyadh has its own demands, including tangible progress on the Palestinian issue, so simply swapping ministers does not guarantee an agreement. However, Washington sees a change in Israel’s government as a prerequisite for moving forward.
The proposal involves a potential rotation deal. Under this framework, Netanyahu would serve as prime minister for the first year. A different leader would then take over to negotiate with the Saudis before Trump’s term ends. Supporters of this idea say it provides initial stability while eventually handing regional diplomacy to a leader not tied to Netanyahu’s current right-wing partners. Some in Trump’s circle doubt a breakthrough is possible if Netanyahu remains the sole focus of the government.
Israel’s leaders have mixed reactions to the push from Washington. Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot and former prime minister Naftali Bennett remain opposed to serving under Netanyahu. American officials have not yet raised the specific framework with them. Netanyahu told Trump he wants a unity government and will work toward one after the election. Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, confirmed publicly that Netanyahu prefers a national unity government to his current coalition. Leiter added that Netanyahu has said he would not serve as national security minister again.
Political hurdles remain substantial in Israel. Otzma Yehudit officials reacted sharply to the idea, fearing a coalition with Eisenkot at their expense. Ben-Gvir urged Netanyahu to form a right-wing government instead of a unity cabinet. The ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding passage of the conscription bill before coalition talks begin. Netanyahu’s natural partners will also press him on earlier commitments. The success of the plan depends heavily on the election results and the willingness of opposition leaders to join a government they have pledged to avoid.
Tensions between Washington and Jerusalem already exist outside of this proposal. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are reportedly frustrated by how quickly Netanyahu is moving on Trump’s Gaza plan. Special Envoy Tom Barrick disagrees with Israel’s approach to Syria. Officials around Secretary of State Marco Rubio want to strengthen the Lebanese government and have voiced frustration over inaction on Jewish violence in Judea and Samaria. These existing frictions add complexity to any new diplomatic initiatives.
Trump has not formally endorsed the unity government initiative. He publicly backed Netanyahu on October 18, though several advisers had reservations. Vice President JD Vance did not join that endorsement. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denied that the administration is pushing for a unity government. He stated that the US does not intervene in Israeli elections or dictate actions to the prime minister. The debate continues over whether 61 mandates for Netanyahu’s bloc would be enough to form a government, or if falling short of that number would change the order of formation attempts.
