Two elections, one relationship: What the votes mean for US-Israel ties- opinion

Dr. Michal Hatuel-Radoshitzky analyzes the implications of the concurrent US midterm and Israeli Knesset elections for US-Israel relations, focusing on institutional scrutiny, MOU negotiations, and expectation gaps between the two publics.

Dr. Michal Hatuel-Radoshitzky analyzes the implications of the concurrent US midterm and Israeli Knesset elections for the US-Israel relationship. The article identifies three key dimensions: institutional scrutiny from a potential Democratic House majority, which could lead to hearings on Israeli conduct in Gaza, settler violence, and aid conditioning; negotiations for a new Memorandum of Understanding on military aid, with the current $3.8 billion annual package expiring in 2028; and expectation gaps between the rightward-shifting Israeli public and American voters, particularly Democrats. The author notes that 103 House Democrats voted in July to eliminate $3.3 billion in annual military aid, and warns that such debates may become routine. She advocates for a partnership model phasing out aid gradually, and highlights potential American pressure on Israel regarding Iran, Gaza, and regional normalization. The piece concludes that the relationship can weather turbulence if both sides choose candor over comfort.