What is next for Israel?

Pro-Palestinian candidates achieved significant electoral victories despite major spending by pro-Israel groups, signaling a major shift in American politics away from traditional bipartisan support for Israel following the Gaza war.

Republicans lost the US midterms because Trump’s Iran policy drove up inflation and gasoline prices, hurting ordinary Americans’ wallets. Similarly, European voters are turning against mainstream parties due to economic costs from the Ukraine war, signaling that foreign policy must serve citizens’ core interests or face electoral punishment.

Sudan’s escalating conflict is interconnected with wars in Yemen and around Iran through weapons smuggling, foreign military support, and competition for Red Sea ports, creating a regional war economy that devastates civilian populations across multiple countries.

President Trump, now in a second lame-duck period, may pursue aggressive foreign policy actions unconstrained by Congress, particularly against Iran and Cuba, as domestic political pressures and lack of electoral considerations leave him free to act without the restraint shown by previous lame-duck presidents.

A Democratic takeover of Congress would unlikely improve U.S.-Europe relations, as constrained Trump could focus on foreign policy and trade where presidential power faces fewer legislative checks, potentially increasing transatlantic tensions and tougher demands on European allies.

Palestinian citizens of Israel achieved historic electoral success in October 2023, securing 19 Knesset seats with 80 percent turnout, but now face intensified incitement and calls to restrict voting rights from Netanyahu’s camp, exposing fundamental contradictions in Israel’s claim to democracy.