HaaretzPolitics20:46

Democrats' Midterm Sweep May Shift U.S.-Israel Relations

By ארנו רוזנפלד

Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba

Center-leftCharged tone

Hebrew · 2 newsrooms covering

Democrats achieved significant victories in the midterm elections, securing control of Congress and potentially shifting U.S. policy toward Israel. New members, including vocal critics of Israel, are entering Congress, aiming to alter the bilateral relationship. While party leadership remains pro-Israel, a growing number of Democrats seek to pressure Israel on its policies toward Palestinians. Jewish voters largely maintained their traditional voting patterns, with a majority supporting Democrats, though some faced difficult choices between candidates on the issue of Israel.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Democrats' midterm election wins may lead to unprecedented pressure on Israel regarding Palestinian relations.
New progressive Democrats, critical of Israel, have won seats in Congress.
Jewish voters largely supported Democrats, but some faced difficult choices over Israel policy.
The shift in Congress could lead to efforts to limit U.S. military aid and arms transfers to Israel.
The political tension surrounding Israel within the American Jewish community is expected to continue.

The Democratic Party's significant victories in the midterm elections, securing decisive control of Congress, come as the party seeks to exert unprecedented pressure on Israel regarding its policies toward Palestinians. Populist Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel, won his race in Michigan, demonstrating that his stances did not hinder his electoral success. Other sharp critics of Israel, including anti-Zionist candidates supported by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), also secured victories in New York, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. Malat Kiroos, who advocated for a complete arms embargo on Israel and its transformation into a binational state, won her race and will represent Denver in the House of Representatives. While the Democratic Party leadership, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, remains supportive of Israel, the new congressional majority includes many members aiming to fundamentally alter U.S.-Israel relations. Although former President Trump could potentially veto congressional initiatives, Democrats may leverage statements on Israel to pressure policy changes. Potential actions include limiting Trump's ability to wage war alongside Israel, delaying arms transfers, and compelling the State Department to investigate settler violence. However, the extent to which Republicans and Trump will actively oppose such measures remains unclear. Trump's unexpected statement about halting military funding to Israel, released as polls closed, suggests a growing skepticism towards generous aid packages even among some right-wing voters. Despite predictions that the Democratic Party's leftward shift would alienate Jewish voters, exit polls indicated a typical split, with 67% voting Democrat and 32% Republican. Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), stated that predictions of a Jewish exodus from the Democratic Party were "completely exaggerated" and that Jewish voters "despise Trump and the Republican Party he controls."

In races where Israel was a contentious issue, the results were less clear-cut. El-Sayed, for instance, won Jewish precincts in Oakland County, Michigan, but often by narrow margins. Some Jewish voters found themselves in a difficult position, facing a choice between a Democratic candidate critical of Israel and a Republican associated with Christian conservatism. Leslie Maimon, an Orthodox Jewish resident from Houston, described this dilemma as "torture" when faced with choices she could not personally endorse. Michigan Jews, in particular, are navigating the complex issue of prioritizing domestic American concerns over Israel. Halie Sakwa, a member of Michigan Jews for Democracy, believes their campaign to support El-Sayed was largely successful but acknowledges that the political tension within the community will persist and resurface in future elections.