Israelis are worried the Democratic power swing in Washington curbing President Bush’s power will lead to less decisive action on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which they consider an imminent threat.

Still, Israelis interviewed Wednesday said they don’t think the U.S. election results giving Democrats control of the House and erasing the Republicans’ Senate majority will diminish American support for Israel.

Bush is popular among Israelis for aggressive policies toward Islamic extremism and his steadfast support for Israel, even as much of the world criticizes the Jewish state for its policies toward the Palestinians.

Most Israelis also see Bush as a strong ally against Iran’s hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has said repeatedly that Israel should be destroyed. Israel sees itself as the primary target of a nuclear-armed Iran.

“Most Israelis understand that the Israeli interests, at this point, rest on future decisive statesmanship and decisive action in relation to the nuclear threat of Iran,” said Menahem Blondheim of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

“Without the political support at home and in his party and among the American public, a decisive military or diplomatic move (by Bush) against Iran seems less and less likely,” he said.

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