Foreign Diplomats Express Hope for Political Change in Israel's Elections
Foreign diplomats express hope for a political shift in Israel's upcoming elections. Egypt and Jordan prepare to return ambassadors if a moderate coalition forms, while European nations delay sanctions to avoid influencing the vote.
Expectations in Europe and the Middle East
With less than two months remaining before Israel's elections for the 26th Knesset on October 27, 2026, international diplomats are closely monitoring political developments in Jerusalem. In private conversations, several high-ranking European diplomats have openly expressed their governments' hopes for a political shift in Israel. Concurrently, an Arab diplomatic source revealed that Egypt and Jordan are preparing for a significant upgrade in bilateral relations should a more moderate Israeli government be formed.
One diplomat representing a major European nation expressed deep frustration with the current coalition:
"After four years of a low point in relations, we are waiting for a fucking change. We gave up long ago on this extreme right-wing government, which has managed to alienate the entirety of Europe."
Three other Western diplomats estimated that many Western nations would move swiftly to rebuild ties with Jerusalem if the change bloc wins the election, offering diplomatic incentives to the incoming administration.
Skepticism and Opposition Outreach
However, one diplomat offered a more cautious assessment, predicting that European enthusiasm for a government led by Gadi Eisenkot or Naftali Bennett could quickly fade. He noted that it remains unclear how their actual policies on critical issues — from Gaza to Iran — would differ from those of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Foreign governments have already established channels of communication with key opposition figures. Diplomats have held meetings with various political leaders, ranging from Yair Golan to Naftali Bennett.
This political backdrop is actively shaping European policy. Several European diplomats confirmed that their countries are intentionally delaying sanctions and other measures against Israel — including sanctions targeting settlements and right-wing ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich — to avoid inadvertently strengthening the current coalition ahead of the vote.
Regional Dynamics and the Trump Factor
Both Western and Middle Eastern officials have accepted that no major diplomatic breakthroughs will occur before the elections, expressing frustration with the relative diplomatic stagnation in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. However, both Arab and Western sources expressed concern that the current government might take rash, unilateral steps in the West Bank, Gaza, or against Iran in the run-up to the elections.
Israel's neighbors are watching the campaign with keen interest. An Arab source familiar with regional relations stated that Egypt and Jordan hope for a change in leadership, revealing that both nations are preparing to return their ambassadors to Israel if a more moderate government is established. The Egyptian and Jordanian ambassadors left Israel during the war in Gaza, which began after the October 7, 2023 terror attacks, leading to a severe deterioration in relations over the past two and a half years.
The major wildcard remains US President Donald Trump, who is known for his willingness to intervene in foreign elections to support right-wing candidates. Although repeatedly asked in interviews, Trump has so far declined to publicly endorse Netanyahu, though he has consistently praised his leadership during the war.
European diplomats emphasized that despite their opposition to the current coalition, their governments will strictly refrain from any interference in Israel's internal politics and will fully respect Israeli democracy.
