From public opinion to political pressure: Gaza and the US midterm elections

The genocidal Israeli war on Gaza has contributed to a shift in the American political environment and created an opportunity to strengthen political and institutional pressure within the United States.

The US midterm elections, held on 3^rd November 2026, witnessed a major political shift, with the Democratic Party securing control of both chambers of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, in a clear political defeat for the Republican Party and President Donald Trump.

This means that Trump’s ability to push through his agenda will be diminished, opposition to his performance is growing, particularly over the economy and the war with Iran.

It is widely recognised that several key factors contributed to this outcome. The economy and the cost of living were the foremost factors, followed by the war with Iran, which exacerbated the Republicans’ political difficulties and had direct economic repercussions for the lives of ordinary Americans. Gaza and Palestine came third in terms of their influence on the election.

The war has eroded political support for Israel among its traditional base of supporters, a particularly important development from the perspective of solidarity work for Palestine.

It’s obvious that the war in Gaza, with the killing, destruction and human suffering it has entailed, has contributed to a shift in the American political environment, particularly through its moral and humanitarian impact on public opinion, as well as its influence on attitudes towards Israel and US military aid.

Trump himself may also have been a significant factor behind this outcome. Opinion polls conducted ahead of the elections indicated that he had become an electoral liability for his party. Consequently, a significant part of the vote was also a political message directed at the President.

In conclusion, the economy and the cost of living were the most important electoral factors, but the war with Iran amplified public anger, while Gaza was a significant political and moral factor, although its direct impact at the ballot box is less clearly measurable.

The election results conveyed three key messages. For the Republicans, support for Trump does not guarantee electoral victory, particularly when economic and military burdens accumulate. For the Democrats, victory gives them power and an opportunity, but also places them under pressure to deliver, including on Palestine.

Most importantly, for the Palestine solidarity movement, there is an opportunity to strengthen political and institutional pressure within the United States, but this requires more organised action that goes beyond protest and media mobilisation.

It is important for those working in support of the Palestinian cause and all the solidarity groups in America to recognise that the strength of the Palestinian cause does not lie in claiming that the election r

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.