Netanyahu rivals seek ouster following Democratic sweep of US Congress
Israeli opposition leaders claim the US midterm election results show the Prime Minister has damaged bipartisan American support for Israel.
Political rivals of Benjamin Netanyahu are seeking to form a government without him, citing the Democratic Party's victory in the US midterm elections as evidence that he has lost bipartisan American support for Israel, according to The Economic Times.
Democrats won majorities in both the US Senate and House on Tuesday. The election results followed an Israeli election held one week ago, where Netanyahu's right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority but prevented opponent Gadi Eisenkot from unseating him.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that the US results indicate Israel cannot afford to keep Netanyahu in office, claiming his leadership endangers security, democracy, and global standing. Yair Golan, head of the centre-left Democrats party, said on X that the election results show Netanyahu is toxic to both Democrats and Republicans.
Netanyahu remains prime minister as a caretaker. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to hold talks with party representatives on Wednesday and Thursday before tasking either Netanyahu or Eisenkot with forming the next government.
Tel Aviv University political science professor Udi Sommer suggested the new Democratic-controlled US Congress could be the most difficult in history regarding Israel. He noted that while the president holds most foreign policy power, Democrats could use budgetary measures and oversight to apply pressure.
Netanyahu has not commented on the US election outcome, and his office did not respond to requests for comment. If the chosen candidate fails to build a coalition, a new election may be called.