Danon Calls Abdul El-Sayed an antisemite After Midterms

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, labeled newly elected Michigan lawmaker Abdul El-Sayed an antisemite. He also cautioned that the Democratic victory in the US midterm elections will complicate Israel's position in Washington.

Danon argued that El-Sayed, who ran on a platform opposing US military funding for Israel, would stand against Israel no matter what policies it pursued, including during the current ceasefire in Gaza. Working with El-Sayed will be very difficult, the ambassador stated. He added that the Democratic Party understands it must govern from the political center and not from the extremes.

Speaking to i24NEWS, Danon said a vocal minority of anti-Israel politicians is increasingly steering the debate, even though support for the US-Israel alliance remains bipartisan. "So it will be harder for us," he acknowledged. He said Israel will continue to cooperate with allies from across the political spectrum.

The ambassador also responded to Trump's announcement that Washington will stop providing Israel with annual military aid. Danon proposed that defense ties could rely more on joint investment in the future. He cited Iron Dome as an example of Israeli-American military technology that serves both nations. "We will put our money. The US would invest their money," he said.

Danon dismissed the idea that Israel is to blame for the war with Iran. He maintained that the United States made its own decision to strike Iran, although Israel backed the operation. "It's very easy always to blame Israel for everything. But that's not the case," he said.

Asked whether Trump might sign a deal with Tehran that fails to meet Israel's security needs, Danon said Israel would act on its own to defend itself. "We will always do whatever is necessary to protect ourselves," he declared.

Danon also voiced confidence that Washington will keep using its UN veto to shield Israel, despite the growing challenges in Congress.

On November 4, Democrats won majorities in both houses of Congress. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who was long regarded as one of the most prominent Israel supporters in his party's leadership, is expected to become Speaker when the new Congress convenes in January 2027.