The midterms delivered a clear rebuke to the US-Israel relationship, with pro-Palestinian candidates winning races nationwide despite heavy spending by pro-Israel groups.

In a closely watched contest, Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, overcoming more than $40 million in Aipac spending aimed at defeating him and a campaign marked by Islamophobic rhetoric and intense disputes over his support for Palestinians.

The results came as Aipac had acknowledged that its public support was hurting some pro-Israel candidates and said it would stop making direct endorsements and contributions.

Other incoming lawmakers also brought records of medical work in Gaza, criticism of Israel’s war, support for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, or participation in a pro-Palestinian student encampment.

El-Sayed and other winners rejected the idea that criticism of Israel is inherently antisemitic; cited exit polls showed El-Sayed won a majority of Jewish voters in Michigan, while 72% of Jewish voters nationwide supported Democrats.

The results also reflected opposition to Trump’s war in Iran, as Americans felt its costs at gas stations and grocery stores; analyst Yousef Munayyer said Israel was central to that story.

On election morning, Donald Trump suggested ending nearly $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel because it did not need the funding, and proposed replacing aid with arms sales; the article said the shift might have little practical effect but underscored Israel’s eroding support among US voters.

Jewish Voice for Peace Action political director Beth Miller said the old bipartisan consensus on Israel was over, and that the next Congress could consider an arms embargo or sanctions on violent settlers and officials, though Trump could veto such measures.

The Democratic Party remains divided over Israel, Palestine and foreign wars, but advocates say organizers and candidates have opened more space for Palestinian rights and are urging Democrats to adopt an anti-war foreign policy.