Elections scheduled for October 27 in Israel and November 3 in the United States are being widely regarded as critical junctures for the future of democracy in both countries. The outcomes have implications that extend beyond the political fortunes of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former U.S. President Donald Trump, touching on institutional integrity and democratic governance.
In Israel, Netanyahu’s coalition includes far-right extremists, some of whom have been labeled by a former Mossad chief as more extreme than the Ku Klux Klan. Critics warn that if re-elected, this coalition is likely to continue efforts to weaken the country’s independent judiciary, including the attorney general’s office and the Supreme Court. Such measures, combined with plans to annex parts of the West Bank and Gaza, could lead to forced displacement of Palestinians and undermine Israel’s democratic status.
Concerns over Israel’s political direction have been voiced by figures across the political spectrum. Former defense minister Moshe Ya’alon has likened the ideology of some extremist settlers to that of Nazi Germany, describing it as a reversal of post-Holocaust values. The current political environment has also driven some Israelis, including academics and professionals, to emigrate. A recent study cited the departure of over 1,300 doctors from the country in the past three years, numbers that surpass staffing levels at several major hospitals.
Demographic changes add another layer of complexity. Economist Dean Ben-David highlighted that ultra-Orthodox Haredi families, who are significant coalition partners of Netanyahu, have a fertility rate significantly above the national average. This group’s growth, paired with limited secular education and minimal integration into the workforce, may influence Israel’s socio-political landscape in the coming decades.
Opposition efforts, led by former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, emphasize a return to core Israeli values and a commitment to peace initiatives. Eisenkot’s camp criticizes Netanyahu for blocking peace plans and accommodating ultra-Orthodox exemptions from military service, which critics say weakens national unity and security.
Meanwhile, the U.S. election is cast as a pivotal moment for American democracy. Former President Trump’s tenure and ongoing influence have been marked by efforts to dismantle long-standing international alliances and institutions established after World War II, including NATO, the United Nations, and various trade agreements. Analysts warn that a Republican victory could accelerate these trends, further eroding democratic norms and institutional independence.
Trump’s relationship with Russia remains a contentious issue, with concerns about his perceived leniency toward Vladimir Putin, whose actions in Ukraine and support for Iran’s conflict with the United States have heightened global tensions. Critics argue that the steady undermining of agencies such as the Justice Department, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Health and Human Services under Trump-affiliated leadership threatens the resilience of U.S. democratic institutions.
Election integrity advocates caution that a Republican win could embolden Trump and his allies to intensify efforts that compromise rule of law and democratic accountability. They stress that the survival of American democracy depends on the robustness of its institutions, many of which have been weakened in recent years.
Observers emphasize that in both Israel and the United States, the greatest threats to democracy are internal. While foreign adversaries play a role in geopolitical pressures, the risk of democratic backsliding arises primarily from political actors within each country. The upcoming elections thus represent a pivotal moment in determining not only leadership but the preservation or erosion of democratic principles in these two nations.