Concerns Rise in Israel Over Eroding Bipartisan Support in US Politics

Israel is increasingly worried about a lasting shift in its relationship with the United States as bipartisan support erodes, highlighted by Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary. Critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argue that his exclusive focus on strengthening ties with the Trump administration has come at the expense of maintaining bipartisan backing in Washington. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll reveals that a majority of Americans, including nearly 75% of Democrats, favor reducing or ending military aid to Israel.

Professor Yael Sternhell of Tel Aviv University noted that hostility and anger toward Israel have become one of the few issues uniting both right and left in American politics. The Washington Post reports that this frustration is evident in other key Democratic primaries and is also growing among Republican voters. Experts warn that the conflict in Gaza and perceptions that Israel pushed President Donald Trump toward confrontation with Iran have deepened the divide.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Oren stated this is the first time in the history of US-Israel relations that Israel lacks an alternative political channel in the opposing party. As Netanyahu faces Israeli elections in October, opposition figures and political analysts see a potential government change as an opportunity to reset relations with Washington. However, Oren and others caution that Israel must diversify its foreign policy and reduce its absolute dependence on the US, especially as younger generations in both American parties grow increasingly skeptical of Israel and view it as a source of instability.