Democrats won control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with several incoming lawmakers campaigning to restrict military aid or arms sales to Israel [nytimes.com][aaj.tv][newarab.com]. The results could bring new congressional scrutiny of U.S. support and Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, but do not themselves change policy. President Donald Trump can veto legislation, and Democrats are unlikely to have the two-thirds majority needed to override him [aaj.tv][news18.com]. On election day, Trump said the United States would end about $4 billion in annual military assistance to Israel by the end of 2026, saying he had reached an agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The existing aid agreement runs through September 2028. The announcement left unclear whether Trump can halt the funding or how arms sales and other defense cooperation would be affected [newarab.com][aaj.tv]. The 2027 National Defense Authorization Act contains proposals to expand U.S.-Israeli defense-industry cooperation. It remains unclear whether Congress will act on the bill before Democrats take control and whether Democratic leaders will permit votes or hearings on aid and the wars in Gaza and Iran [newarab.com][csmonitor.com]. Israel's Oct. 27 election left Netanyahu's bloc without a parliamentary majority, and opposition politicians blamed his leadership for weakening bipartisan U.S. support [aljazeera.com][algemeiner.com]. Highlights: • Defense legislation: Fifty-six advocacy groups urged Congress to remove Section 219 of the House-passed 2027 defense bill. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie proposed an amendment to remove it, but the House did not vote on it [newarab.com]. • West Bank scrutiny: In September, 46 of 47 Democratic senators backed a resolution requiring the administration to report on rising settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank; Republicans blocked it [aaj.tv][aawsat.com]. • Different positions: Incoming Texas Senator James Talarico has supported defensive systems such as Iron Dome while calling for an end to offensive weapons sales [newarab.com]. • Potential cross-party pressure: Strategist Price Floyd said progressives and Republicans in the America First wing might unite in opposing taxpayer spending abroad, amid anger over the Iran war [aaj.tv][news18.com]. • Lobbying tactics: The pro-Israel advocacy group AIPAC said last month that its open support was hurting some candidates and announced it would stop making direct endorsements and contributions [theguardian.com]. Perspectives: Yair Lapid, Israeli opposition leader: Lapid called for Israel to return to bipartisan cooperation with Washington, saying it should work with both U.S. parties rather than choose sides [aljazeera.com]. (Al Jazeera) Israeli human rights lawyer Eitay Mack: Mack urged Democrats to investigate U.S. weapons used by Israeli settlers and the Trump administration's actions against pro-Palestinian speech and academic freedom [newarab.com]. (The New Arab) David Makovsky, director of the Project on Arab-Israel Relations at The Washington Institute: Makovsky said progressive Democrats will have a larger platform in Washington, while criticism from Republicans over Iran and the war's handling could add pressure on Israel from both parties [csmonitor.com]. (The Christian Science Monitor) "We need to make sure that we apply our laws and international law and our policies uniformly across the board when it comes to the actions of countries. There should not be an Israel exception" — U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland Sources: • For Israelis, U.S. Midterms Show How Far Their Star Has Fallen in America - nytimes.com • The midterms were a thumping rebuke of the US-Israel relationship - theguardian.com • How the Democrats’ surge impacts the US-Israel relationship - csmonitor.com • Israel’s opposition slams ‘toxic Netanyahu’ after Democrats win US Congress - aljazeera.com • ‘We are just getting started’: Midterm blowout normalizes anti-Zionism in Democratic politics - timesofisrael.com • Did Israel lose the midterms? - rt-english.com • Midterm results put U.S.-Israel ties under further strain - thehindu.com • Will Democratic leaders challenge US military ties to Israel? - newarab.com • US Midterm Shake-Up: Could Democratic Sweep Mark A Turning Point For US-Israel Ties? - news18.com • After midterm rout for Trump, is era of bipartisan support for Israel drawing to a close? - thejc.com • U.S. midterms will usher in a radically different Israel policy. Israelis aren't ready - haaretz.com • Democrats sweep midterms, setting the stage for transformation of U.S.-Israel relationship - haaretz.com • Israel Braces for Hostile US Congress After Democratic Midterm Sweep; Opposition Blames Netanyahu - algemeiner.com • Israel politicians accuse Netanyahu of being 'danger to Israel,' harming ties with US Democrats - jpost.com • After the massive win for the Democrats, Israel and US Jews face a rough ride ahead - thejc.com • Democratic Congress could test decades of US support for Israel - aaj.tv • Israeli opposition blames Netanyahu for collapse in US support - newarab.com • Moderates Carry Much of Democratic Gains in US Elections, Giving Hope to Israel Supporters - algemeiner.com • What consequences for Israel as Democrats win the US midterm elections? - france24.com • Democratic Congress Could Test Decades of US Support for Israel - aawsat.com • Aux Etats-Unis, les relations avec Israël sont presque devenues un fardeau électoral, pour les démocrates comme les républicains - letemps.ch • Meet the opponents of US support for Israel who defeated AIPAC in the midterms elections - International - World - ahram.org.eg • The ‘blue wave’ is a defeat for Israel, but the left’s work is just beginning - mondoweiss.net • Hasil Pemilu AS Perkuat Desakan Oposisi Israel agar Netanyahu Lengser - mediaindonesia.com --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News