Trump weakens, and the political calculus in Israel changes | Dan Perry

The results of the US midterm elections weaken Donald Trump's political standing and shift the political landscape in Israel, just as President Herzog begins consultations to form a government. The article examines the impact of the Republican defeat on the possibility of American intervention in favor of Netanyahu, and discusses various scenarios including pressure on Eisenkot and Bennett or a renewal of war with Iran.

The results of the US midterm elections weaken President Donald Trump's political standing and change the political picture in Israel, precisely at the moment when President Herzog begins consultations with the factions to form a government. The article, by Dan Perry, argues that until yesterday the possibility that Trump would intervene to save Benjamin Netanyahu loomed, but now the Republican defeat requires a reassessment. Democratic control of Congress limits Trump's ability to advance his agenda and makes his intervention in Israel more difficult. The article discusses two hypotheses: one, that Trump will pressure Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett to join a unity government led by Netanyahu; the second, more worrying, concerns the possibility of renewing the war with Iran to create a state of emergency. The article notes that the Netanyahu bloc received 53 seats, while the opponents hold 67, but 19 of those belong to Arab parties, creating a contradiction between the majority and the ability to translate it into power. The article compares the situation to the US and argues that giving up Arab votes would determine that Israel is a racist and non-democratic society.