Billionaire Bill Ackman Urges Broad Israeli Government Without Far-Right Ministers
American billionaire Bill Ackman called for a broad Israeli government without far-right ministers to advance regional ties. US officials also debate coalition changes to facilitate normalization with Saudi Arabia.
American billionaire Bill Ackman, a prominent supporter of US President Donald Trump, called on Sunday for the formation of a broad and moderate Israeli government without Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. In a post published online, Ackman argued that such a coalition would enable Israel to restore its international standing, expand the Abraham Accords, and improve ties with both political parties in the United States.
Ackman, who heads the Pershing Square hedge fund, supported Trump in the presidential election and is considered an influential figure in US business and political circles. While praising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his relationship with Trump, Ackman criticized Ben Gvir and Smotrich, stating they damage Israel's image and hinder its diplomatic goals. Ackman expressed his desire for Netanyahu to remain in office but with different coalition partners.
Washington Views on Coalition Shifts
Ackman is not alone within Trump's inner circle in holding this perspective. According to several sources, additional figures in Washington believe that advancing ambitious Middle East initiatives during the remainder of the presidential term requires a change in Israel's governing coalition. Foremost among these goals is a historic normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia, which officials argue is difficult to advance while nationalist leaders sit at the cabinet table.
Senior advisors to Trump suggest that a government excluding far-right figures would facilitate regional policies. Background tensions include frustrations among officials such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner over the pace of Gaza policy implementation, differing approaches on Syria voiced by envoy Tom Burke, and concerns within Secretary of State Marco Rubio's circle regarding the enforcement of law in the West Bank.
Rotation Government Proposals
Some figures in Trump's circle even question whether diplomatic breakthroughs are possible while Netanyahu remains in power. Consequently, proposals have emerged regarding a rotation unity government, where Netanyahu would serve the first year before handing over leadership to another prime minister capable of managing negotiations with Saudi Arabia.
Proponents argue this structure would maintain initial stability while placing regional talks in the hands of a leader unreliant on current far-right partners. Israeli and American sources indicate that Netanyahu himself has expressed interest in forming a unity government following upcoming elections.
Israeli Political Realities
Meanwhile, proposals discussed in Washington remain distant from Israel's domestic political reality. American officials have not yet conducted deep feasibility checks with opposition figures such as Gadi Eisenkot, and electoral scenarios present hurdles. If the right-wing bloc secures a majority, coalition demands from ultra-Orthodox parties regarding military draft exemptions complicate unity arrangements, while opposition leaders have pledged not to join a Netanyahu-led coalition.
