Israel Watches Closely: US Midterm Elections, the Battle for Congress, and Forecasts
According to Channel 14 Israel, the United States is holding midterm elections that will determine the composition of Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The elections cover all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate. From Israel's perspective, these elections are of high political and security importance, as the results will influence budget approvals, arms deals, sanctions policy against Iran, and political pressure on the White House regarding Middle Eastern issues. During the day, President Trump claimed in an interview with Fox News that he had reached an understanding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end direct annual US financial aid to Israel, which amounts to nearly four billion dollars, starting at the end of this year. Trump argued that Israel's economy and military no longer require such grants, though he noted that the US would continue to sell weapons and defense systems to Israel. Polls and predictive models indicate a possible shift in the balance of power in Congress, particularly in the House. Key races in states like Michigan, Georgia, and Texas are under scrutiny due to candidates' positions on Israel and military aid. Final results may take days to emerge due to the decentralized counting system and the potential for recounts in tight races.