Danon: US Made Iran War Call, Not Israel
Israel's UN envoy challenges JD Vance's assertion that the conflict drove Republican losses in the November midterm elections.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon rejected US Vice President JD Vance's assessment that the war with Iran caused the Republican Party's defeat in the midterm elections. Danon spoke to Israeli news outlet i24 News on Thursday. He said it is easy to blame Israel for every political setback, but that is not what happened. The US made the decision to attack Iran, Danon stated. Israel supported that US effort and believes it was the correct choice.
Vance posted a lengthy message on the social media platform X on Wednesday. He claimed the war was the real reason Republicans lost control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Vance noted that polling indicated Trump voters wanted the US to change its relationship with Israel. He also said those voters wanted the war to end and for the focus to return to the cost of living. Trump told reporters in an interview that a part of the loss was due to Iran. He added that he would have made the same decision again.
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the end of February. The New York Times reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared intelligence with President Donald Trump in the weeks before the war began. Netanyahu suggested the Iranian people would rise up and topple their government if an attack occurred. No regime change has taken place. Iran now controls the Strait of Hormuz. This has sent energy prices soaring and raised the cost of living in the US.
Danon acknowledged that rising prices, mainly oil, have been linked to the situation in Israel. He called this connection unfortunate. He warned that Israel must pay attention to critical voices in both the Democratic and Republican parties. The rising prominence of anti-Israel politicians in the US will make things harder for Israel, Danon said.
Danon stated that Israel will always do whatever is necessary to protect itself. He made these comments when asked about a possible deal between the US and Iran following the election results. In Israel, the US election losses have triggered criticism of Netanyahu. Politicians and commentators argue the prime minister has become toxic for both American parties. One former Israeli diplomat said the results mark the end of an era in US-Israel relations. He added that what lies ahead is clouded in uncertainty.
The Republicans lost both chambers of Congress in the elections held in November 2026. Vance said everyone knows why the party lost. He questioned whether losing the Senate for the next six years was worth it. Trump voters expressed a desire to put America first. The cost of living remained a key issue for American voters during the campaign.
