Netanyahu rival adds senior Trump pollster to campaign team

Bennett said Fabrizio’s involvement was approved by President Trump.

By World Israel News Staff

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced Wednesday that he has added two senior American political strategists to his campaign team, including Tony Fabrizio, a longtime pollster and adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Bennett said Fabrizio’s involvement was approved by Trump. He also announced the addition of George Birnbaum, a veteran adviser who has played a central role in Israeli and international campaigns for decades.

Both men previously worked closely with the late political consultant Arthur Finkelstein and have advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in past election cycles.

“I am proud and honored to add two highly successful and experienced advisers like Tony and George to my team,” Bennett said in a statement. “I am confident they will help lead us to victory, and in doing so, help heal and unite our country.”

According to Bennett’s office, Birnbaum, a former partner of Finkelstein, has been involved in every Israeli national election campaign since the 1990s and has advised in more than 20 national elections worldwide.

“George Birnbaum is a veteran adviser who has taken part in every national election in Israel since 1996, as well as dozens of campaigns around the world,” the statement said.

Fabrizio brings more than four decades of experience in opinion research and political strategy.

He has served as chief pollster or senior strategist in five U.S. presidential campaigns, including both of Trump’s successful runs, and continues to serve as Trump’s adviser and pollster during his current term.

Bennett’s office said Fabrizio has also worked with dozens of U.S. senators, members of Congress, and governors, and has advised political leaders and parties on multiple continents.

The statement stressed that “the engagement with Fabrizio was carried out with the approval of President Trump.”

The move is notable not only given the long-running rivalry between Bennett and Netanyahu, but also for its Trump connection.

While Bennett and Netanyahu emerged from similar right-wing roots and once worked closely together, their relationship later fractured, with Bennett positioning himself as an alternative to Netanyahu’s leadership.

By bringing on Fabrizio, a senior adviser and pollster to Donald Trump, Bennett adds strategic clout and political signaling as he builds his campaign.

Benjamin NetanyahuGeorge BirnbaumNaftali BennettTony FabrizioTrump campaign