‘Israel cannot afford to ignore’: Israeli press reels from Democratic sweep

The Israeli press is taking stock of last night’s Democratic sweep of Congress, sounding the alarm over the consequences for Israel. A Haaretz analysis this morning said Abdul El-Sayed’s victory over pro-Israel candidate Mike Rogers demonstrated “that even strident opposition to Israel is no barrier to winning competitive federal races.” “El-Sayed won despite AIPAC spending more than $30 million to defeat him in the Democratic primary and another reported $9 million on behalf of Rogers in the general election,” it added. The Jerusalem Post warned: “The implications of the US midterm elections for Israel could extend far beyond the loss of Republican control of Congress. The defeat comes amid broader shifts within the Democratic Party regarding Israel, the war with Iran, and the strategic relationship between Jerusalem and Washington.” “One of the clearest takeaways from the election campaign is the political price the war with Iran has exacted on the Republican Party”, the analysis said, referring to the war Israel pushed the US into on 28 February. “The expansion of the camp critical of Israel, and its growing access to positions of influence, represents a shift that Israel cannot afford to ignore,” it added.