Netanyahu bet on Trump – but both lost

Donald Trump and the Republicans’ resounding defeat in the US midterms has shaken Israel’s allies in Washington. Benjamin Netanyahu had portrayed his relationship with Trump as uniquely capable of securing unwavering US support. In late February, however, the two leaders ordered a joint military campaign against Iran, prompting Iranian retaliation and fears of a wider regional war. They endorsed each other ahead of their respective elections, but Netanyahu’s coalition won only 53 seats on October 27, while Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress.