How Israel lost four elections in less than two weeks - analysis
From Serbia and Brazil to Israel and the US, four elections in 10 days have weakened Israel's diplomatic position, threatened key alliances, and raised questions about its political future.
Israel experienced a rapid succession of four elections over a ten-day period, culminating in the US midterms on Tuesday. The streak began on October 25 in Serbia, when President Aleksandar Vučić was ousted in a snap parliamentary election. The Serbian election was driven by domestic grievances rather than Israel's influence, though the relationship between the two nations could be impacted by the outcome.
In the wake of the October 7 massacre, Serbia's defense ties with Israel became strategically important. Israel reportedly approached Serbia for ammunition as early as October 8, and shipments of artillery shells eventually made their way to Tel Aviv. In February 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Serbia's "unwavering support" during a phone call with Vučić, calling him a "true friend of Israel."
Following Vučić's defeat, the strategic importance of the defense ties remains uncertain. The Serbian Student List, which won the election, has pledged to halt arms exports to conflict zones, a stance that could affect Israel's defense cooperation.
Simultaneously, Brazil's left-wing, anti-Israel President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defeated pro-Israel candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, casting doubt on the idea that Brazil would follow Latin American allies in adopting more pro-Israel policies.
In Israel, the October 7 massacre and the ongoing challenges abroad left the country in a deadlock after the elections. Neither Likud, led by Netanyahu, nor the change bloc, which included the Arab parties, secured a majority government. The result led to months of coalition negotiations and raised questions about the legitimacy of any eventual government.
The election also highlighted the challenges facing Israel in the United States. Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress, with anti-Israel Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed taking a seat in the Senate. The outcome sent a message about the growing influence of anti-Israel Democrats, who could shape debate on issues such as arms sales and US policy toward Israel.
While the Democratic Party's anti-Israel wing received reinforcements, Republicans also expressed dissatisfaction with Israel's performance in the US midterms. Some Trump allies blamed the war in Iran for Republican losses, while others suggested that Israel should shoulder responsibility for the party's defeat.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
