Democrats' Congress win gives Netanyahu's rivals new leverage

Democrats winning control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress has given opponents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu new leverage to pressure him, amid accusations his policies weakened bipartisan American support for Israel and efforts to form an alternative government. Netanyahu faces internal and external pressure after his right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority in Israeli elections a week ago, though results left no clear path for his main rival to oust him. President Isaac Herzog will hold consultations with party representatives before tasking a candidate with forming a new government. The shift follows declining American support for Israel among Democrats and some Republicans after the 2023 Gaza offensive and the joint Trump-Netanyahu attack on Iran. Opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Yair Golan argued the U.S. results show Netanyahu's toxicity, while experts predict the new Congress will be the most critical of Israel in history.