Israel’s opposition slams ‘toxic Netanyahu’ after Democrats win US Congress | Benjamin Netanyahu News
Israeli Opposition Politicians Criticize Netanyahu Following U.S. Election Results
Israeli opposition leaders are holding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accountable for diminishing support for Israel in the United States, particularly after Democrats secured majorities in both chambers of Congress on Tuesday. They have asserted their commitment to rebuilding bipartisan ties if they take power in the next government.
The remarks came in the wake of the recent U.S. elections, which were interpreted as a rebuke of former President Donald Trump. This political shift has been fueled partly by rising discontent regarding the U.S. and Israel’s stance towards Iran, along with ongoing tensions related to the conflict in Gaza.
The election results emerged just one week after Israel’s own elections, where Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority but performed sufficiently to complicate efforts by his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, to replace him.
Yair Lapid, a former prime minister and current leader of the coalition opposing Netanyahu, stated that the U.S. election results indicate that Israel cannot afford to keep Netanyahu in office. He expressed concerns that Netanyahu’s continued leadership could jeopardize Israel’s security, undermine its democratic values, and damage its global standing.
“For decades, the United States has been one of Israel’s staunchest allies, providing billions in military aid since the 1970s. However, unlike previous Israeli leaders who fostered relations with both parties, Netanyahu has openly aligned himself with Republicans,” Lapid noted.
In the elections, some Democratic candidates highlighted their criticism of military aid to Israel amid escalating violence in Gaza. On Tuesday, Trump, who had previously endorsed Netanyahu, vowed to cease the annual $4 billion funding to Israel, framing it as a strategy to neutralize a key Democratic talking point.
Promoting a return to established diplomatic norms, Lapid stated that Israel should revert to a bipartisanship approach that had worked for decades, referencing a controversial speech Netanyahu made to Congress in 2015 opposing then-President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran.
“I said it then, I say it today: Israel doesn’t choose sides in America. We work with everyone,” Lapid remarked.
While acknowledging a growing “anti-Israel core” in Congress, Lapid emphasized that it constitutes less than 10% of the Senate. He pointed out that Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, have consistently supported Israel.
Eisenkot pledged that, under his leadership, Israel would reestablish its bipartisan relations with Washington. He highlighted the necessity of renewing and deepening the partnership with the U.S. to create a cooperative Middle East.
“Israel will remain one of America’s most reliable strategic partners, and that partnership is mutually beneficial,” he said.
Yair Golan, another member of the opposition coalition, warned of the consequences if Netanyahu retains power, suggesting it could lead to international sanctions and increasing isolation from the United States.
Netanyahu did not respond immediately to the criticisms from opposition leaders.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a prominent pro-Israel lobbying organization, echoed sentiments expressed by Lapid. In a statement on social media, AIPAC congratulated the many pro-Israel candidates from both parties who triumphed in the elections, indicating its intent to bolster support for Democrats and Republicans committed to maintaining strong ties with Israel.
