Some of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political foes said the results of Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections reveal how toxic he is to American politicians — Democrats and Republicans alike.
The Democratic Party’s impending control of both the House and the Senate in Washington isn’t cause for panic, said Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition in Israel’s Knesset — but it is a signal that Israel needs strong leadership and a work plan.
“The easiest thing is to scream that ’America is lost,’ because if it’s lost, you don’t have to work. That’s just not true,” Mr. Lapid said Wednesday.
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“Hakeem Jeffries will lead the House of Representatives. Chuck Schumer will run the Senate. Both are my friends [and] both voted with Israel this year, even when the majority of their party caucus voted otherwise,” he said on social media.
While domestic pocketbook issues remained the primary driver of voter choice, the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran was a significant factor in the 2026 midterm elections.
Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s center-left party, The Democrats, said the continuing alliance between Mr. Netanyahu and Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, could lead Israel down a path of international isolation and “a clash with the U.S., our friend and most important ally.”
“Israel needs a government that will restore its standing in the world, promote long-term political-strategic arrangements, and ensure its security. This is the choice before us,” Mr. Golan said on social media.
Mr. Lapid said there is no question that the anti-Israel core in the U.S. House of Representatives has grown after Tuesday night’s election that saw a blue wave engulf Washington.
“There will be more extreme voices there, but even after the elections, we’re talking about 25 members of Congress out of 435,” he said. “In the Senate too, a few very hostile voices toward Israel were added, but even after last night, the hard and extreme core working against us doesn’t reach 10% of the Senate members.”
While Mr. Netanyahu aligned himself with the GOP and was endorsed by President Trump in his election, the next Israeli leader who comes to Washington should meet with leaders of both parties, Israeli leaders said.
“Not just to give a speech, but also to listen, to talk, to absorb criticism, to explain the facts [and] to rebuild trust,” Mr. Lapid said.
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