US Midterm Results Highlight Growing Opposition to Netanyahu and Debate Over Aid to Israel

The Democratic Party’s victories in the U.S. House and Senate have amplified criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with opposition figures in Israel warning that the election outcome could strain bilateral ties.

Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s centre-left Democrats party, posted on X that the results demonstrate “how toxic Netanyahu is among both Democrats and Republicans.”

Centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid added that the vote shows “Israel cannot afford” for Netanyahu to remain in office, saying it “endangers our security, it jeopardises our democracy, and it will ruin our standing on the global stage.”

Netanyahu has not commented on the U.S. results, and his office declined a request for comment, Reuters reported.

The United States has long been Israel’s principal ally, providing billions in military aid annually. However, support among Democrats and some Republicans has waned since Israel’s 2023 Gaza operation and further declined after President Trump and Netanyahu announced a joint strike on Iran.

President Trump, who endorsed Netanyahu, pledged on election day to halt $4 billion in annual U.S. funding to Israel, describing the aid as a “bad talking point” used by Democrats, Reuters said.

At least 36 newly elected members of Congress are associated with the progressive movement, including five Democratic Socialists of America who won House seats for the first time. While not all share the same stance on Israel, several, such as Michigan Senator Abdul El-Sayed—the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate—have voiced criticism of Israeli policies.

In New York, three candidates backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani—Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez—won House seats and have called for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, a group Ynet described as “mini Mamdanis.” Other newly elected officials critical of Israeli policy include Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania, Adam Hamawy in New Jersey and James Talarico in Texas, though their positions on aid vary.

The election also produced victories for pro-Israel candidates, such as Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff’s re-election and former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown’s return to the Senate. In Florida, Republican Senator Ashley Moody retained her seat over Democrat Angie Nixon.

Political scientists note that the incoming Democratic-controlled Congress could become the most adversarial toward Israel in U.S. history, with potential pressure through hearings, oversight and budgetary measures, even though the president retains primary authority over foreign policy.

Udi Sommer, a Tel Aviv University professor, said, “The Democratic landslide and the Republican wipeout encapsulate the next chapter in U.S.–Israel relations.”