Israel's UN Ambassador Disputes Vance's Blame for GOP Midterm Defeat
Danny Danon argues the US made the decision to attack Iran and rejects the view that the conflict caused Republican losses in the 2026 elections.
By Chioma Kuznetsov ·
The war with Iran has become a central point of contention in the aftermath of the November midterm elections, where Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress. US Vice President JD Vance identified the conflict as the primary cause of the defeat, while Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, rejected that assessment on Thursday.
Vance, who lost his seat in the race for the presidency in 2028, posted a lengthy analysis on the social media platform X on Wednesday. He stated that the reason the party lost was the war, noting that President Donald Trump had also cited the conflict in a recent interview. Vance argued that polling data indicated Trump voters wanted the administration to change its relationship with Israel, end the hostilities in Iran, and prioritize the cost of living.
Danon pushed back against the narrative in an interview with i24 News. He described the habit of blaming Israel for domestic economic issues as convenient but inaccurate. The ambassador emphasized that the decision to launch the military campaign was made by the United States. Israel supported the effort, Danon said, but did not initiate it.
The military campaign began in late February, following intelligence shared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Trump. That intelligence suggested the Iranian public would rise up against their government if an attack occurred. No such regime change has materialized. Instead, Iranian forces have secured control of the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has driven up global energy prices and increased the cost of living in the United States.
Democrats have leveraged the spike in oil prices as a key issue in their campaign strategy. The economic pressure has contributed to a wave of criticism against Netanyahu in Israel. Commentators and politicians argue that the prime minister has become a liability for Republicans and Democrats alike, with some claiming he can no longer lead effectively due to his unpopularity in Washington.
Danon acknowledged that the rise of anti-Israel politicians in both major US parties would make future negotiations more difficult. He stated that Israel would continue to do whatever is necessary to protect itself, including engaging in potential deals with Iran. A former Israeli diplomat described the election results as the end of a 50-year era in US-Israel relations, noting that the path forward is now uncertain.
The next step for the Israeli government is to determine how to manage relations with the new Democratic-led Congress while the war in the region continues to affect global energy markets.
