JERUSALEM, Nov 5 — Benjamin Netanyahu's political rivals seized on the Democrats' capture of the United States (US) Congress as proof that he had squandered generations of bipartisan American support for Israel, as they seek a chance to form a government without him.
Democrats won majorities in both the Senate and House in Tuesday's midterm election, in a scathing rebuke to President Donald Trump fuelled in part by deep frustration over the unpopular US-Israeli war on Iran.
The US vote came a week after an Israeli election, when Netanyahu's right-wing coalition lost its Parliamentary majority but performed well enough to deny his main opponent Gadi Eisenkot a clear path to unseat him.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is due to hold talks on Wednesday and Thursday with party representatives before tasking one of the two men with forming the next government. Meanwhile, Netanyahu remains Prime Minister as a caretaker.
US support wavers for longstanding ally
The US has been Israel's staunchest ally for generations under presidents of both parties, providing billions of dollars a year in military aid since the 1970s. But unlike previous leaders who assiduously courted Democrats and Republicans alike, Netanyahu has openly backed Republicans.
Support for Israel among Democrats and some Republicans wavered after Israel launched its military assault in Gaza following the 2023 Hamas attack, and fell further this year since Trump and Netanyahu ordered a joint attack on Iran.
Some Democratic candidates made criticism of American military aid to Israel a prominent campaign argument. On Tuesday, Trump, who had endorsed Netanyahu, made an election-day pledge to halt US$4 billion (RM16.19 billion) in annual funding to Israel, which he said would take away a "bad talking point" used by Democrats.
On Wednesday, Eisenkot said that Israel, under his leadership, will restore ties with Washington.
"We will renew and deepen this partnership, strengthen the bipartisan foundations it has relied on for years, and work to advance the entire Middle East," he said on X (formerly Twitter).
Israel's centre-left opposition Democrats party head Yair Golan said on X that the US midterm election results "reveal just how toxic Netanyahu is among both Democrats and Republicans".
Centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid said the results showed "Israel cannot afford" for Netanyahu to remain in office.
"It endangers our security, it jeopardises our democracy, and it will ruin our standing on the global stage," he said in a social media post.
Netanyahu has so far remained silent about the outcome of the US vote. His office did not respond to a request for comment.
It could be weeks or months before it becomes clear whether Netanyahu or Eisenkot ultimately faces the task of repairing the relationship. Whichever candidate is chosen first must build a new coalition or the other will be given an opportunity.
If both fail, a new election would be called.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv University political science professor Udi Sommer predicted that the incoming Democratic-controlled US Congress would be the most adversarial towards Israel in its history.
Although the president still holds most power over foreign policy, Democrats could apply pressure through hearings, congressional oversight, and budgetary measures.
"The Democratic landslide and the Republican wipeout encapsulate the next chapter in US-Israel relations," he said.
