Trump Pressures to Exclude Ben Gvir and Smotrich from Israeli Government

US President Donald Trump is closely monitoring developments in the Israeli elections, amid the absence of a clear majority for either political bloc, with indications that he seeks to influence the shape of the next government and prevent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from including far-right leaders in it.

The Ynet website reported, citing sources close to Trump, that the US president wants to ensure that the leader of the "Jewish Power" party, Itamar Ben Gvir, is not included in the next government, with the possibility that he also seeks to exclude the leader of the "Religious Zionism" party, Bezalel Smotrich.

According to the sources, forming a government that includes Ben Gvir is not an acceptable option for Trump, who hinted at his adherence to his demands when he attributed the electoral gains achieved by Netanyahu to his support, following the start of the appearance of official results and vote counting.

Trump Seeks National Unity Government

With the continued counting of votes and neither camp having a clear majority to form a government, questions are growing about the possibility of intensifying Trump's intervention in Israeli politics, seeking to form a national unity government that includes competing parties.

Understanding between Trump and Netanyahu indicates prioritizing the Iranian file during the first year of the two years remaining in the US president's term, aiming to put a decisive end to the war that began on February 28 of this year.

In the second and final year of Trump's term, Netanyahu may be forced to step down from his position, perhaps under a plea bargain or another settlement, coinciding with pushing towards expanding the "Abraham Accords," which the US president sees as an essential part of his political legacy.

Based on this, Trump may push towards forming a national unity government that includes a rotation of the premiership, allowing conditions to be prepared for expanding the "Abraham Accords."

Two Interventions to Support Netanyahu

Trump had intervened twice before the Israeli elections to support Netanyahu and urge voters to vote for him.

The first intervention came on October 18, when Trump described Netanyahu in a post on his Truth Social platform as "a great warrior prime minister and an even greater partner for peace against the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Trump touched on the same post on the possibility of launching a new military campaign against Iran, saying: "We will finish the job soon," adding that if someone other than Netanyahu takes charge of Israel, the United States will have to do the job itself, which he said he does not lean towards.

The second intervention came on October 26, after pressures exerted by those close to Netanyahu, as Trump renewed his call for Israelis to vote for the Likud party, reposting his endorsement of the prime minister.

Trump addressed Israelis saying that he is reattaching the endorsement he announced a week ago for Netanyahu, adding that their relationship is good and that they achieved victories together.

He also attacked Iran, speaking about what he described as its military and economic collapse, before urging Israelis to vote for Netanyahu, saying he was an "exceptional warrior prime minister," and stressing the need to complete the task that both sides started.