Israeli political figures from the Democratic Party have issued strong warnings that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s continued leadership could lead to the country’s isolation on the global stage. Following the announcement of US midterm election results on Wednesday morning, party chair Yair Golan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the outcomes reveal the Prime Minister has become increasingly toxic among both American Democrats and Republicans.
Golan described the situation as an alarm, stating that the tenure of Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir places Israel on a path toward international sanctions and confrontation with the United States. He emphasized that the US remains Israel's most important ally, but current policies threaten to sever that vital bond. Golan argued that Israel requires a government capable of restoring its standing, advancing long-term diplomatic arrangements, and ensuring national security.
In his post, Golan framed the upcoming political choice as a decision between a 'Netanyahu-style' Israel, which he described as a regressive and boycotted entity, and a nation that is strong, progressive, free, and secure. He concluded by stating that Netanyahu effectively lost the election and is now dangerous for the state, calling for the immediate formation of a government of change.
Gilad Kariv, a member of the Knesset from The Democrats, echoed these sentiments in his own social media posts. Kariv noted that the dramatic blue wave within the US Democratic Party makes it clear that Netanyahu's continued rule, alongside the annexationist policies of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, will severely damage Israel's existential interests. He argued that a mainstream exists within American politics that can preserve the special relationship, but this is impossible under the current leadership or a sham unity government dictated by Netanyahu and Smotrich.
Kariv was direct in his demand for action, stating that Netanyahu must vacate the Prime Minister's office quickly. In a second post, he accused the Prime Minister of destroying relations with the Democratic Party and half of the Republican Party. Kariv criticized those who still speak of unity with Netanyahu, arguing they fail to understand the recent election results in both Israel and the United States.
Yair Lapid, the outgoing opposition leader from the B’Yachad party, joined the criticism by asserting that the midterm results have ruined any chance of forming a unity government with Netanyahu. Lapid cited the ongoing dispute between Shin Bet Director David Zini and Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara as a contributing factor to this political deadlock. He wrote that Zini's remarks combined with the American election results have effectively ruled out a unity government led by the Prime Minister.
Lapid warned that Israel cannot afford for Netanyahu to remain in power because it endangers security, jeopardizes democracy, and ruins the country's global standing. He viewed the convergence of domestic legal disputes and international political shifts as a critical turning point for the nation.
Ahmad Tibi of the Joint List took a different approach, choosing to mock the Shin Bet's investigation into foreign interference in the 26th Knesset elections rather than condemning Netanyahu directly. Tibi noted that Zini is investigating a suspected link between the Joint List and US Democrats. He sarcastically described the sophisticated method used in both cases as people arriving at polling stations in droves, casting a ballot, and then going home.
