US midterm results raise questions in Israel over future of alliance

Democrats won majorities in both the US House of Representatives and the Senate in the 3 November midterms, prompting questions in Israel about the future of its long-standing alliance with Washington. President Donald Trump remains in the White House, and the election result does not by itself establish a change in US policy.

During the campaign, many Democratic candidates criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Udi Sommer, a political scientist at Tel Aviv University, told Reuters that Democrats could apply pressure through hearings, congressional oversight and budgetary measures, although the president retains substantial control over foreign policy.

Israeli political and security analyst Yaakov Katz told the BBC that defence cooperation could become more complicated. He pointed to Israel’s dependence on US-made aircraft, weapons and spare parts.

A US official, who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, expected the relationship to change but said its fundamental basis would remain.

The result has also exposed different views within the Trump administration. Vice-President JD Vance blamed the Republican defeat on the war with Iran and cited a pollster who had asked voters who left the party what would bring them back. Vance said changing the relationship with Israel was one of four leading responses.

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, disagreed with the suggestion that Republican voters wanted such a change. He told Israel’s Channel 12 that he did not think that was where voters stood.

In Israel, Netanyahu’s political rivals have used the US result to press their case against him. Opposition politician Yair Golan said it showed how damaging Netanyahu had become to Israel’s standing among both Democrats and Republicans, Reuters reported.

Gadi Eisenkot, a leading contender to replace Netanyahu, pledged that a government under his leadership would deepen the US partnership, strengthen support from both American parties and work constructively with Trump.

Israel’s own government formation remains unresolved. On 5 November, President Isaac Herzog said parties representing 67 members of the Knesset had recommended Eisenkot to form a government, while parties representing 46 had recommended Netanyahu. Herzog warned that mutual vetoes between and within blocs made the outcome uncertain, and said he intended to give someone the task on Sunday 8 November.