Israeli opposition leaders accuse Netanyahu of damaging ties with both U.S. parties and warn of sanctions and isolation after Democratic midterm victories
Israeli opposition figures warned Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s continued leadership could push Israel toward international sanctions, diplomatic isolation and a confrontation with the United States, arguing that his policies had damaged relations with both major American political parties.
The warnings followed the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, in which Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress, dealing a political setback to President Donald Trump, one of Netanyahu’s most prominent international supporters.
Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s opposition Democrats party and a former deputy chief of the Israeli military, said the American election results had exposed the extent of Netanyahu’s deteriorating standing in Washington.
In a statement published on X, Golan said the outcome demonstrated how politically damaging Netanyahu had become among both Democrats and Republicans.
He warned that continued leadership by Netanyahu, alongside National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, could lead Israel toward “international sanctions, international isolation, and a clash with the U.S., our friend and most important ally.”
Golan argued that Israel needed a government capable of rebuilding its international relationships, negotiating long-term political and strategic agreements, and protecting national security.
He contrasted Netanyahu’s vision of a “Super Sparta,” which he characterized as isolated and subject to boycotts, with his preferred vision of a prosperous, democratic and secure Israel.
“Netanyahu lost the elections. He is dangerous to Israel. We have no time to waste. We must form a government of change now,” Golan said.
Gilad Kariv, a member of the Knesset, also called for Netanyahu’s departure, accusing the prime minister of undermining Israel’s relationships across the American political spectrum.
Kariv said Netanyahu had “destroyed the relations with the Democratic Party and with half of the Republican Party,” and insisted that he must not continue leading Israel.
Kariv also rejected proposals for a national unity government under Netanyahu, adding to opposition resistance against an arrangement that would allow the prime minister to remain in office despite his bloc’s failure to secure a parliamentary majority.
The dispute follows Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election, in which Netanyahu’s bloc won 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, short of the 61 needed to form a majority government. The principal Jewish opposition parties secured 48 seats, while Arab parties won 19.
The results have left Israel facing difficult coalition negotiations, with opposition parties divided over how to assemble an alternative governing majority.
Netanyahu has maintained close political ties with Trump, but the Democratic victories in Washington have given his Israeli opponents a new argument against allowing him to lead the next government.
The warnings about sanctions and a possible confrontation with Washington represent assessments by Israeli opposition politicians, rather than announced measures by the United States.
For Golan and Kariv, however, the central issue extends beyond the immediate election results: they argue that Netanyahu’s leadership has weakened a relationship Israel has historically sought to maintain across party lines in Washington, and that restoring those ties requires a change of government.