Israel will hold new elections to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in what is called a “hypocritical,” “unprecedented,” “ridiculous” and “shameful” move by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. A number of prominent Republican politicians are rallying around the New York state senator’s proposal.
This comes amid increasing US pressure on Israel over the Gaza war and as the Biden administration builds temporary floating docks on the Gaza coastline to allow for large-scale deliveries of food and humanitarian aid to Gaza residents. This was carried out as preparations were being made for construction.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has become an increasingly polarizing issue for many Americans and a flashpoint in the already hotly contested race for the next presidential election.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) speaks at a press conference. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Schumer calls for new Israeli leader to replace Netanyahu in Senate floor speech
In a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Schumer implored Israel to hold new elections and warned that Prime Minister Netanyahu would become a “pariah” if he remained in power. He claimed that Prime Minister Netanyahu had “lost his way by putting his own political survival above Israel’s best interests.”
His comments prompted a fierce reaction from Republican leaders in the House and Senate, many of whom criticized his apparent lack of understanding or appreciation of Israel’s role as America’s closest and friendliest ally in the Middle East. did.
“Ridiculous. Total dereliction of duty. Undermining the leadership of an ally and interfering in an election in the middle of a war is downright dangerous,” Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) previously tweeted I posted it on X.
“Chuck Schumer should be ashamed of himself for turning his back on our greatest ally in the Middle East,” wrote Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who is running for Senate Republican Conference Chair.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.Y.) speaks to reporters at the Capitol on March 6, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“He pays lip service to Israel, but his comments today show that he will align himself with terrorist supporters while American lives are at risk.” ing.”
“The main ‘obstacles to peace’ in the Israeli region are genocidal terrorists and corrupt PA leaders who repeatedly refuse to accept peace agreements,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). wrote about X. These straights should refrain from interfering with the democracy of our sovereign allies.”
Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a nonpartisan, nonprofit national security think tank based in Washington, D.C., called Schumer’s proposal “unprecedented.”
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“For some reason, Chuck Schumer knows Israeli politics better than people who live in Israel. That’s exactly where you jump the shark,” Goldberg said. “And if for some reason, as Americans on both sides of the aisle, we accept this as a new form of behavior that we would do with other allies, this is just a starting point. And then we start to see the White House. Yes, they are trying to intervene and use their power to intervene in the elections of other democracies.
“And now you’re on a slippery slope. We really have to question our own democratic values in doing that.”
Goldberg served on the National Security Council under former President Trump.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and cabinet minister Benny Gantz (not pictured) at the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 28, 2023. (Abil Sultan/Pool via Reuters)
Schumer, who is Jewish, is one of the top recipients of more than $1.7 million in campaign contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), according to the Jerusalem Post. According to Opensecrets.com, he is seventh on the list of pro-Israel winners in the Senate from 1994 to the present under President Biden. Sen. Bob Menendez, DN.J. Former senator and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Former Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Connecticut. And Mr. McConnell.
AIPAC said in a post to We must ensure that we have the time and resources to do so.” “Hamas is solely responsible for this war. Hope for a brighter future in the Middle East begins with Israel’s decisive defeat against Hamas.”
Schumer’s comments were generally welcomed by Democrats in Congress, many of whom have called for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the conflict continues to rage.
Joel Rubin, a Democratic strategist and former assistant secretary of state in the Obama administration, said Schumer has “the most pro-Israel voting and legislative record in American history.” He defended Schumer, saying the speech was from Israel’s perspective and would promote peace in the long term.
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“Schumer very bluntly said, ‘Look, I knew that.’ [Netanyahu] For decades. And the way Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policies are proceeding…is his extreme flattery of the most dangerous voices in Israeli politics,” Rubin said.
“Mr. Schumer believes there are a number of culprits…and he named them…extremist ideologues who are basically trying to get all Palestinians out of Gaza. “It’s unhealthy for the long-term safety and security, and by extension, the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
