The resounding success of the Republican Party in the US mid-term elections was greeted with quiet satisfaction by the Likud government this week.
Many in Israel believe that the Republicans' new-found control of the Senate and enlarged majority in Congress will have a significant impact on US foreign policy in the final two years of Barack Obama's presidency.
With the personal relations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Obama at a low point, the Israeli leadership will be glad to have Capitol Hill in control of the section of American politics with which it feels a greater affinity.
Israelis will especially be pleased to see old allies such as Senator John McCain, who will now chair the influential Armed Forces Committee, in key positions.
The first test of the new balance of power in Washington could come following a possible nuclear deal with Iran. Such an agreement would almost certainly be deeply criticised by Israel and while Congress cannot prevent the deal, its members can derail it by blocking a key component: sanctions relief for Iran.
Without any other elections on his horizon, Mr Obama can now focus - if so chooses - on foreign initiatives. That may well include a new attempt to renew peace talks. Some in Jerusalem and Washington believe he will do so by putting pressure on Israel and even threatening not to use America's veto at the UN Security Council in a vote on a future Palestinian state.
Others believe, however, that a Republican and pro-Israel Congress may deter Mr Obama from antagonising Israel: through the budget and legislation, Congress controls many aspects of his presidential legacy.
At the same time, Israeli leaders will be careful of playing Congress off against the administration. The Republican success this week is no indication of what can be expected two years down the road in the presidential election.
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