Netanyahu Has Become Toxic to US Lawmakers: Yair Lapid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become “toxic” to US lawmakers, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has said. He claimed that opposition to Mr. Netanyahu and his government’s policies is growing even among US lawmakers who previously supported Israel. As evidence, Mr. Lapid pointed to increasing support among senators for restricting arms supplies to Israel.

He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, following the Democrats’ takeover of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections.

According to Mr. Lapid, some US lawmakers still view Israel as a strategic partner. However, opposition to Mr. Netanyahu and his government’s policies is growing among them.

He said that out of the 435 members of the House of Representatives, around 25 are strongly opposed to Israel, while fewer than 10 per cent of senators hold a similar position. He added that Israel’s bigger concern was the growing tendency among senators outside this group to vote in favour of restrictions on arms supplies.

According to Mr. Lapid, 11 senators voted in favour of restricting arms supplies to Israel two years ago. The number rose to 27 a year ago and reached 40 in April this year.

“They oppose settler violence. They oppose a government whose policies they cannot understand. And above all, they oppose Mr. Netanyahu. To them, everything associated with Mr. Netanyahu is toxic,” he wrote.

Mr. Lapid has urged the next Israeli government to meet lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties during its first visit to Washington.

It is worth noting that Democrats secured majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, ending Republican control of Congress. As a result, Democrats have gained greater influence over legislation and congressional oversight of government activities.