Trump Seeks to Drop Two Ministers from Israel's Next Cabinet

US President Donald Trump has asked for the exclusion of Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich from Israel's next government, according to American sources who spoke to the Israeli outlet Walla on Wednesday. The sources indicated that Trump views recent settler violence as a factor that complicates his regional strategy.

The request comes as the Central Elections Committee released preliminary data following the counting of more than four million ballots. The results indicate a political stalemate in the Knesset. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc is projected to secure 54 seats. His Likud party is expected to hold 27 of those seats, while United Torah Judaism, Shas, and Otzma Yehudit are each projected to win seven. The Religious Zionist Party is expected to take six seats.

The opposition bloc, which includes Yashar, B'Yachad, Yisrael Beytenu, and the Democrats, is projected to win 49 seats. Neither side currently holds the 61 seats required for a majority. Exit polls suggest that Arab parties may determine whether a stable coalition can be formed. The final seat distribution will depend on the official count.

Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit and the alliance comprising Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party and Zehut are projected to win approximately 13 seats in total. This places them in a position to influence coalition building if Netanyahu leads the next government. Trump's associates have reviewed the election results, though the president has not yet issued a public statement on the outcome.

Two parties, the Reservists' Party and People of Israel, failed to cross the electoral threshold in the exit polls. Ofer Winter, chairman of Amcha Yisrael, which also missed the threshold, criticized Netanyahu. Sources close to Winter claimed the prime minister drained their votes, a move they described as a strategic mistake. Celebrations began at Likud headquarters after the preliminary figures were released.

On Wednesday, Trump also addressed the ongoing war with Iran. He stated that the conflict could end at his discretion, noting that it must conclude in the correct manner. Trump said ending the war requires a clear declaration that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons. He also identified Iran as the leading state sponsor of terrorism globally.