Jewish News Today: Vance Blames Israel Ties for GOP Midterm Losses as Antisemitism Concerns Mount Across the Diaspora

The aftermath of the US midterm elections continued to reverberate through the Jewish world on Wednesday, as Vice President JD Vance publicly blamed America's relationship with Israel and the Iran war for the Republican Party's sweeping losses — a statement that drew sharp pushback from Israel's ambassador to the UN. Simultaneously, new antisemitism data from Germany, fresh controversies in the UK, and a public clash between the ADL and J Street over a newly elected Jewish congressman rounded out a charged day for Jewish communities.

Vance Blames Israel and Iran War for Republican Collapse

In a social media post in the early hours of Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance wrote that "the reason we lost is the war," referring to the conflict with Iran, and cited the Republican Party's relationship with Israel as among the causes of its midterm defeat, according to JNS and the Forward. "If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next six years was worth it, then do so," Vance wrote, per JNS.

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon pushed back firmly. According to JNS, Danon rejected accusations that Israel was to blame for the Iran war or for rising oil prices, and disputed the framing that Israel had cost Republicans the election. Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot took a different tack: according to both JNS and the Jüdische Allgemeine, Eisenkot called for a renewed and deepened partnership between Israel and the United States in the wake of both the Israeli elections and the American midterms.

The Forward, citing opinion contributors, noted that the Republican midterm rout may carry significant consequences for Israel, potentially complicating Prime Minister Netanyahu's position as Democrats prepare to assume control of Congress in January. Israeli experts quoted by JNS predicted that President Trump may seek to strike Iran before that transition of power takes place; Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi of the Israel Defense and Security Forum told JNS that Trump's "heritage will be defined by whether he wins decisively against Iran or not."

ADL and J Street Clash Over Newly Elected Jewish Congressman

The election of Daniel Biss, a Jewish and self-described critic of Israel, to an Illinois congressional seat triggered an immediate public dispute between two major American Jewish organisations. According to the Forward, a regional ADL office stated it had "serious concerns" about Biss's record on antisemitism; the liberal Zionist group J Street disputed that characterisation. Biss, described by the Forward as a grandson of Holocaust survivors, responded publicly to the ADL's statement. JTA reported that Biss "clapped back" at the ADL's criticism. The exchange highlighted ongoing divisions within the American Jewish community over what constitutes acceptable political speech on Israel.

Jewish Winners and Losers Across the Midterm Map

Several Jewish candidates secured victories across the country. In Virginia, Elaine Luria won back her former congressional seat, stating that "the status quo in Washington is not working," according to JNS. In Florida, Representative Lois Frankel was re-elected in her redrawn district; her campaign website described her belief that "Israel's security is our security," JNS reported. In San Francisco, Democratic state Senator Scott Wiener declared victory in the race to hold Nancy Pelosi's House seat, in a contest the Forward noted was notable for both candidates having attacked Israel during the campaign.

In New York, JTA reported that ten Jewish state legislators are headed to Albany, with Orthodox New Yorkers increasingly asserting political influence. Assembly member Sam Berger told JNS: "At a time when some are trying to silence our community, we have a voice at the table. Make no mistake. We intend to use it." A Jewish New York City Council member separately provoked controversy by stating that "real Jews don't vote for Democrats," according to JTA.

At the University of Michigan, the Forward reported that Amir Makled — a civil rights attorney who defended pro-Palestinian protesters in court and made social media posts described as pro-Hezbollah and antisemitic — won a seat on the university's Board of Regents. Rabbi Steven Burg of Aish told JNS that Jewish communities should "put on a seat belt" and brace for more danger in the post-midterm environment. "We have seen what happens when hatred of Jews moves from the fringes of society into organized political power," he said.

Islamist Antisemitism in Germany Reaches Record High

In Germany, Islamist-motivated antisemitic crimes have hit a record high, according to the Jewish Chronicle. The Chronicle reported that almost half of the recorded incidents involved the display of symbols associated with banned groups including Hezbollah and Islamic State. Separately, the Jüdische Allgemeine reported that two animal sculptures in Berlin's Großer Tiergarten park were defaced with antisemitic graffiti, discovered by passers-by on Tuesday morning, according to police.

UK: Sanctions, the BBC, and Birmingham Council

In Britain, Baroness Altmann warned that UK sanctions on Israel are "stoking antisemitism," urging ministers to "understand the danger of singling out Israel for special punishment," the Jewish Chronicle reported. The Chronicle also reported that Labour MPs have condemned a legal challenge brought by the Good Law Project against a school antisemitism review, with the project claiming that widespread adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism would "stifle legitimate criticism of Israel."

Birmingham City Council faced criticism after voting in favour of an anti-Israel divestment motion, with chants of "free Palestine" erupting from the council chamber following the vote, the Jewish Chronicle reported. Critics quoted by the Chronicle called the move "disgusting sectarianism." The Jewish Chronicle also published an editorial calling for an independent inquiry into claims of antisemitic harassment by Jewish BBC staff, arguing such a probe would give the corporation "an opportunity to restore the confidence on which its standing depends."

Dutch Museum Cancels Jewish Synagogue Exhibition

In the Netherlands, a museum cancelled an exhibition that would have marked 300 years of Jewish worship in Amersfoort, citing tensions linked to October 7, according to JNS. Jewish leaders denounced the cancellation as part of what they described as a broader pattern of exclusion of Jewish cultural expression in Europe.

Former Hostages Join Israeli Pop Star on Brooklyn Stage

On a more hopeful note, Israeli pop star Omer Adam invited two former Nova festival hostages — Bar Kupershtein and Eliya Cohen — onto the stage at a packed Brooklyn venue, where they joined him in singing his song "Good Guys," JNS reported. The moment came as Boy George, following his visit to the Nova memorial site reported yesterday, continued to draw attention to the plight of victims and survivors.

Genesis Prize Public Vote Opens

The Jewish Chronicle reported that the public vote has opened to choose nominees for the 2027 Genesis Prize — sometimes called the "Jewish Nobel" — a $1 million award whose previous recipients include Gal Gadot, Itzhak Perlman, and Steven Spielberg.

Sources

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