Trump backers urge Israeli cabinet shuffle to drop two key ministers

American billionaire Bill Ackman called for the creation of a new Israeli government that excludes National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Ackman, who leads the hedge fund Pershing Square and supports President Donald Trump, made the argument in a social media post on Sunday. He stated that removing these two ministers would help Israel restore its international standing. He also argued such a move would expand the Abraham Accords and improve relations with both major US political parties.

Ackman is part of a wider group within Trump’s inner circle advocating for this change. Several sources indicate that senior Washington figures believe the current cabinet composition hinders Trump's regional goals. The most prominent of these goals is a historic normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia. Officials in the White House and State Department view Ben-Gvir and Smotrich as obstacles to that deal. They believe a government without these ministers would make diplomatic progress easier.

The proposal includes a specific structure for the new administration. Some advisors support a rotation agreement where Benjamin Netanyahu serves as prime minister for the first year. Another leader would then take over to negotiate with Saudi Arabia before Trump’s term ends. Proponents argue this maintains stability while allowing a different leader to handle delicate diplomatic work. Netanyahu has told Trump he wants to form a unity government after the upcoming election. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter publicly confirmed that Netanyahu prefers a national unity government over his current coalition.

Political friction remains high between Washington and Jerusalem. Special Envoy Tom Barrick disagrees with Israel's strategy in Syria. Senior officials around Secretary of State Marco Rubio are frustrated with the pace of action regarding Jewish violence in Judea and Samaria. Additionally, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are reportedly dissatisfied with the speed at which Netanyahu is advancing the Gaza plan. These tensions have increased pressure on the Israeli leadership to adjust its political lineup.

Despite the push from Trump's allies, the plan faces hurdles in Israel. Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot and former prime minister Naftali Bennett have opposed serving under Netanyahu. American officials have not yet discussed the framework with them directly. If Netanyahu’s bloc secures 61 mandates, he will likely receive the mandate to form a government. However, it is unclear if Eisenkot or Bennett will agree to join. Ultra-Orthodox parties also demand the passage of a conscription bill as a precondition for joining any coalition.

The administration has not formally endorsed the initiative. Trump publicly backed Netanyahu on October 18, although Vice President JD Vance did not join that endorsement. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee denied that Washington is pushing a specific unity government. He stated that the administration does not dictate actions to the Israeli prime minister. The proposals remain distant from Israeli political reality, with no substantive talks held with opposition leaders yet.