Israel is bracing for a major shift in its relationship with the United States following the Republican Party’s poor performance in the US midterm elections, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing mounting criticism over his handling of the alliance.
It is learnt that Israeli opposition leaders have blamed Netanyahu for worsening bipartisan relations, warning that his close alignment with President Donald Trump has made Israel increasingly unpopular among both Democrats and Republicans.
The setback comes amid growing American criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and the joint war against Iran.
Trump’s reported decision to end $3.8bn in annual military assistance to Israel two years ahead of schedule has further heightened concerns over the future of the strategic partnership.
Although the aid represents less than 10 per cent of Israel’s annual military budget, analysts warn that restrictions on American weapons, spare parts and missile-defence systems could seriously affect Israel’s military readiness.
Former opposition figures have urged a return to bipartisan engagement with Washington, arguing that Israel must stop treating its relationship with America as a Republican affair.
Netanyahu, who has yet to publicly respond to the growing concerns, now faces pressure to repair an alliance increasingly threatened by domestic American politics.
