Trump Backs Netanyahu but Aides Want New Israeli Leadership

President Trump has publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election in the country's parliamentary election on the 27th, but several of Trump's close aides reportedly believe a change in Israeli leadership would better serve U.S. Middle East goals. According to the U.S. news website Axios, some U.S. officials said Trump's advisers think another Israeli leader could more effectively advance Washington's regional agenda. Trump has never worked with any Israeli prime minister other than Netanyahu and knows no other candidates, keeping the two closely tied despite occasional friction. One aide described Trump's view of Netanyahu as "the devil he knows." Trump formally endorsed Netanyahu on the 18th after weeks of hesitation, even hinting at consequences for U.S.-Israel relations if he loses. Many of Trump's closest aides opposed the endorsement, favoring neutrality. Vice President JD Vance notably declined to follow Trump's lead, saying he would not intervene in foreign elections. Vance and other officials have grown disillusioned with Netanyahu over flawed pre-war assessments and frustrations on Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and West Bank settlement issues. Polls show Netanyahu's bloc trailing significantly, with his coalition projected to win only 50 of 120 Knesset seats, potentially leading to another election and a weakened Netanyahu as caretaker prime minister.