US midterms could reshape support for Israel as anti-Israel sentiment grows among voters

The US midterm elections on November 3 will determine the balance of power in Congress during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term. For Israel, the elections will indicate how far criticism of Israel has spread from the Democratic Party's progressive wing into its political mainstream, and whether candidates who oppose US military assistance to Israel can translate that message into electoral success.

The US midterm elections on November 3 will determine the balance of power in Congress during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term. Historically, the president's party tends to lose seats in midterm elections, and Trump's declining approval ratings, particularly on the economy, leave Republicans facing a challenging political environment. For Israel, the stakes extend beyond whether Democrats regain control of the House or Senate. The elections will offer an indication of how far criticism of Israel has spread from the Democratic Party's progressive wing into its political mainstream, and whether candidates who oppose US military assistance to Israel can translate that message into electoral success. The war with Iran has further complicated the administration's political position, with rising energy costs making the conflict harder to defend to voters concerned about household finances. One of the clearest examples came during a debate in Georgia between Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Ossoff, a Jewish American seeking reelection, was asked directly about the widening divide within his party over Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza. He responded by focusing on the conduct of the Israeli military, stating that Israeli forces violated the law of armed conflict. The Senate race in Michigan offers another example, where Republican Mike Rogers is competing against Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate whose campaign has sharply criticized Israeli policy. In New York, progressive candidates like Brad Lander have taken unequivocal positions against additional US military assistance to Israel. Analysts Yiftach Dayan and Yaki Dayan note that Israel has increasingly become a tool for political gain, particularly for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.