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Netanyahu rivals seize on Democrats’ sweep of US Congress, seeking his ouster
Israeli opposition figures say Democrats’ victory in both chambers of the US Congress shows that Benjamin Netanyahu has damaged Israel’s longstanding bipartisan support in the United States. They are using the result to argue that he should leave office, as parties seek to form Israel’s next government after his coalition lost its parliamentary majority.
The US midterm result followed an unpopular joint US-Israeli war on Iran and came a week after Israel’s election, which left Netanyahu’s rivals without a clear path to replace him. President Isaac Herzog is consulting party representatives before choosing who will first try to form a government; if both leading candidates fail, another election would be called. The US has provided Israel with billions of dollars in annual military aid since the 1970s, and Democrats could use congressional hearings, oversight and budget measures to increase pressure, despite the president retaining most foreign-policy authority.
In short
- Israeli opposition leaders say Netanyahu has weakened bipartisan US support.
- Democrats won majorities in both chambers of Congress.
- Israel’s next government remains uncertain after an inconclusive election.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Netanyahu’s opponents argue that a Democratic sweep signals weakening bipartisan support for Israel and that his leadership has contributed to this shift. They say a prime minister should be judged partly on whether he preserves a durable relationship with Israel’s most important ally, and that the election strengthens the case for a change of government.
The case against
Netanyahu’s supporters could argue that a US midterm result does not establish that his leadership caused any change in support for Israel, which remains shaped by wider US politics and events. They may also contend that Israel’s government should be decided by its own voters and parliamentary arithmetic, and that Netanyahu should be judged on his domestic record and ability to govern rather than on opponents’ interpretation of an American election.
Explained simply
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, leads a coalition government, which depends on enough support in parliament to stay in power. After the recent Israeli election, his coalition no longer has a majority, but his opponents have not agreed on a clear alternative.
Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, consults party representatives and asks a candidate to try to form a government. If the leading candidates cannot do so, Israel would hold another election. The United States has long provided Israel with substantial military aid, and Congress can scrutinise that support and influence its funding, while the president directs most US foreign policy.
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