TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States government is reportedly reaching out to Israeli opposition amid a possible change in Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This follows growing differences between the United States and Israel, particularly regarding the wars in Iran and Lebanon.
Israel's Channel 12 reported on Sunday, June 21, 2026, as reported by ANTARA, that officials in US President Donald Trump's administration believe the Netanyahu government is likely to be replaced.
Therefore, the US has begun informal contact with opposition figures such as Naftali Bennett, leader of the right-wing Together Party, and Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party, according to the report.
“The US administration has expressed concern about hardliners in Netanyahu's government and is seeking to build a new popular base before the elections,” Channel 12 said in its report.
It also noted that the Israeli opposition has been trying to build ties with the US administration in recent months. However, it has achieved limited success among officials critical of Netanyahu's policies.
"The American move aims to exploit political opportunities in light of the crisis of confidence with the current Israeli government,” the report said.
The US reportedly sees the need to establish a "new informal trust mechanism" with Israel, although Trump has not yet endorsed any other Israeli political figures.
Meanwhile, a poll published in the Maariv daily on Friday indicated that the Israeli opposition has a good chance of forming a government if elections were held now. The opposition is projected to win 61 seats in parliament, while Netanyahu's bloc would win 49.
The survey also indicated that Arab parties could potentially win 10 seats in the elections scheduled for October 2026.
The report comes as the US and Iran hold talks in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan, to end the military conflict sparked by the US-Israeli attack on Iran in February.
The interim agreement calls for a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. However, the Israeli government has refused to link the Iran issue to Lebanon.
Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will not withdraw from the territories it occupies in southern Lebanon.
According to official Lebanese figures, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed nearly 4,000 people and injured more than 12,000 others.
Read: JD Vance Warns Israel as Trump Pushes Forward Iran Deal
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