Israeli opposition warns Netanyahu imperils US ties after midterms

Israeli opposition leaders blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for eroding US support after Democrats won control of Congress. Former prime minister Yair Lapid stated on Wednesday that Netanyahu's continued leadership endangers Israel's security, jeopardizes democracy, and ruins its global standing following the US midterm results.

Yair Lapid, a former prime minister and opposition leader, wrote on social media that the election outcome shows Israel cannot afford for Netanyahu to remain in office. He argued that while an anti-Israel core in Congress has grown, it still amounts to less than ten percent of the Senate. Netanyahu did not immediately respond to the criticism.

US midterm results reveal Netanyahu's isolation in Washington

Democrats won majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the US midterm election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer will now lead the House and Senate, respectively. Lapid noted that both Jeffries and Schumer voted with Israel this year despite party opposition.

Yair Golan, head of Israel’s centre-left opposition Democrats party, said the results reveal just how toxic Netanyahu is among both Democrats and Republicans. Udi Sommer, a professor of political science at Tel Aviv University, predicted the incoming Democratic-controlled US Congress would be the most adversarial towards Israel in its history. Some Democratic candidates made criticism of American military aid to Israel a prominent campaign argument.

Although most power over foreign policy still resides with the president, Democrats could apply pressure through hearings, congressional oversight and budgetary measures. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee congratulated pro-Israel candidates and pledged to increase support for Democrats and Republicans who recognize a strong partnership with Israel.

Israeli opposition seeks alternative government formation

Israeli President Isaac Herzog began consultations with political parties to form the next government, with Netanyahu remaining caretaker prime minister. 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. Netanyahu's political rivals are seeking to build a coalition without him.

The US midterm election occurred a week after Israel's own election, where Netanyahu's right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority but performed well enough to deny a clear path for his rivals to unseat him. Israel now faces a more hostile US Congress, with Netanyahu's bloc holding 53 seats in the Knesset against 48 for the opposition.

Opposition leaders, including Yair Golan, Yair Lapid, and Gilad Kariv, accused Netanyahu of destroying bipartisan support in Washington. They warned his continued leadership would lead to international sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and confrontation with the US. Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot stated Israel would restore bipartisan ties with Washington under his leadership. Eisenkot also criticized a recent announcement from former President Trump, stating Netanyahu's conduct posed a real danger to Israel and that the defense establishment learned of a proposed aid cut through the media.

The United States 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. Yair Lapid emphasized a pragmatic approach, stating, "Israel doesn't choose sides in America. We work with everyone." Netanyahu, who received Trump's explicit endorsement ahead of Israel's general election, had not publicly commented on the Democratic victory or the ensuing congressional developments as of Wednesday afternoon.