From El-Sayed to ‘mini Mamdanis’: US midterm 2026 wins deepen Netanyahu’s political troubles

Israeli political rivals of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seized on Democrats’ capture of both chambers of the US Congress as evidence that he had weakened Israel’s longstanding bipartisan support in Washington, as they seek to form a government without him.

Democrats won majorities in both the Senate and House in Tuesday’s midterm election, in a scathing rebuke to President Donald Trump fuelled in part by deep frustration over the unpopular US-Israeli war on Iran. The US vote came a week after Israel’s election, in which Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority but performed well enough to deny his main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot, a clear path to unseat him.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is due to hold talks on Wednesday and Thursday with party representatives before tasking one of the two men with forming the next government. Netanyahu remains prime minister in a caretaker capacity.

Counts reflect AP race calls as of noon ET on Wednesday, November 4 (10:30 pm IST). ReportedExpress tally of names in JTA, The Forward and Ynet reports. Not a full census of every newcomer's position Pro-Israel candidates also won major contests: Florida Senator Ashley Moody beat DSA-linked Democrat Angie Nixon, Ynet reported.

Won the seat Gary Peters is vacating, after edging Rep. Haley Stevens by about a point in the August primary. Has called Israel's military campaign in Gaza a genocide and backs ending US military aid. The “mini Mamdanis”, backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Beat Rep.

Dan Goldman in the June primary; calls himself a Zionist and accuses Israel of genocide and apartheid. Former Columbia University encampment activist; unseated Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the primary. Ousted Rep. Diana DeGette in the primary; wants all weapons shipments to Israel halted.

Beat Indian-American Rep. Shri Thanedar in the primary; calls for ending military aid to Israel. Surgeon who treated patients in Gaza; opposes US funding for Iron Dome. Unseated Susan Collins; accuses Israel of genocide and opposes US military aid.

Named by JTA among the Israel critics who won Senate seats. Democrats Republicans Independent Uncalled or vacant Majority line The before count for Democrats includes two independents who caucus with them. Before the vote, one seat was held by an independent and two were vacant.