Israeli leaders are closely watching the U.S. midterm elections, particularly the Michigan Senate race, Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said.
Lankford briefed reporters on his recent trip to Israel and Lebanon, a trip coinciding with the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks and one that was supposed to be part of a wider Middle East tour, but was cut short due to security threats. As part of the trip, he spent three days on the ground in Israel and a day and a half in Lebanon.
The Oklahoma Republican told the Washington Examiner that Israeli leaders hold their relationship with the United States as of paramount importance, and that they were watching the U.S. midterm elections as closely as their own elections.
The biggest concern was the Michigan Senate race between Mike Rogers and Abdul el Sayed, the latter of whom has made waves with his heavy criticism of Israel. Without giving specific names, Lankford revealed that several Israeli leaders pulled him aside after their meeting and asked, “Tell me what’s going to happen in the Michigan Senate race.”
The Israelis aren’t the only ones intently watching the Michigan race either. In a meeting with Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, who leads the Shia Amal Movement, the Lebanese politician said that he had an extension of his party in Michigan.
When pressed on specifics, Lankford said his team was caught off guard by the revelation and didn’t press the speaker on the matter.
“Did I hear that correctly? That he had an extension of his party in Michigan?” Lankford recalled asking his aides right after leaving the meeting.
Both Israel and the Lebanese government made clear their favorable view of the U.S. presence in the Middle East.
“There is a sense that if America pulls away… it hurts both Israeli security and American security,” Lankford said of Israeli sentiment around its relationship with the U.S., adding that if the U.S. were to pull away, it would empower Iran.
On the relationship between Israel and Lebanon, Lankford voiced optimism that significant progress had been made as a result of U.S. efforts, though much work remains to be done.
“At least they’re talking to each other while finger-pointing,” he said.