It endangers our security, it jeopardizes our democracy, and it will ruin our standing on the global stage,
Israeli opposition politicians have blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for eroding support for Israel in the United States after Democrats won control of Congress. According to the Al Jazeera report, the opposition pledged to strengthen bipartisan ties if they form the next government.
The comments came after Democrats won majorities in both the Senate and the House, a sharp rebuke to US President Donald Trump, fuelled in part by deep frustration over the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Yair Lapid, a former prime minister, said the US results showed Israel cannot afford for Netanyahu to remain in office, as it endangers security, jeopardizes democracy, and ruins standing on the global stage.
For decades, the US has been Israel’s staunchest ally, providing billions of dollars a year in military aid since the 1970s. However, Netanyahu has openly sided with Republicans, unlike previous Israeli leaders who carefully courted Democrats and Republicans alike. Some Democratic candidates made criticism of military aid to Israel amid its war on Gaza a central campaign theme.
Lapid said Israel must go back to the rule that worked for seventy years, which broke in 2015 when Netanyahu spoke in Congress against then-President Barack Obama. He noted that Democratic lawmakers Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, who are his friends, would lead the House and Senate, and both voted with Israel this year even when the majority of their party caucus voted otherwise.
Eisenkot said that under his leadership, Israel would restore its bipartisan ties with Washington, and Yair Golan warned that if Netanyahu and his far-right government stayed in power, Israel would be on a path toward international sanctions, global isolation, and a confrontation with the United States. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee congratulated pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans who won their elections, saying it would increase its support for those who recognize a strong partnership with Israel helps keep both countries secure.
