GOP goes on offense against Democrats on Israel

Republicans have criticized the tensions between Democrats and the Israeli government after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York criticized longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for new elections in the country. They are trying to take advantage of the rising tension.

Senate Republicans invited Netanyahu to speak virtually during their weekly luncheon on Wednesday, days after Schumer’s impressive floor speech, an unusual gathering of only foreign leaders and members of one party. became. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) said Netanyahu called Schumer’s comments during the rally “totally inappropriate.”

Meanwhile, Schumer rejected Netanyahu’s request to meet with Senate Democrats, intensifying the feud between the Democratic leader and the Israeli prime minister. A spokesperson for Mr. Schumer said the senator “has made clear that he believes these discussions should not be conducted in a partisan manner.”

On Wednesday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said he was considering inviting Netanyahu to address lawmakers at the Capitol, saying it could take the form of a joint address to Congress. Retaliation spilled over into the House of Commons. House Republicans discussed the possibility in their weekly closed-door meeting that morning as part of a conversation about “a range of options based on Schumer’s comments last week,” a source said.

A series of notable events reflects the changing dynamics surrounding Israel on Capitol Hill. As the death toll in Gaza rises, Democrats have become increasingly divided on the issue, and Republicans have been quick to highlight those divisions.

House Minority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA): “You’ve seen this leadership team stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, along with our friends like Chuck Schumer and Joe. “No matter what Biden continues to do, we will remain steadfast,” he said on Wednesday.

Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in U.S. history, delivered a high-profile speech on the Senate floor last week, accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of having “lost his way,” sending shockwaves through Washington and Jerusalem. “After October 7, the coalition government no longer suits Israel’s needs,” he said, later calling for new elections in the country.

The comment drew immediate criticism from Republicans in both chambers, who slammed it as anti-Israel and unprecedentedly wrong. But they have not hesitated to criticize Netanyahu’s government and have been welcomed by some progressive lawmakers who have consistently sounded the alarm about the sharp increase in civilian deaths caused by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) called Schumer’s speech “important,” and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called Schumer’s speech an “act of courage.” He claimed that it was an “act of love for Israel.”

This response epitomizes the changing attitude toward Israel on Capitol Hill. There, America’s support for allies — a policy once accepted on both sides of the aisle — has become a political issue, pitting Democrats against Republicans and, at the same time, pitting them against each other. Democratic Party.

Tensions between liberal Democrats and conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are not new. Many Democrats boycotted Netanyahu’s 2015 speech to a joint session of Congress, during which he used the speech to criticize then-President Obama over the budding Iran nuclear deal.

But frictions have become more pronounced following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed more than 1,200 people and Israel’s response to the attack, which killed more than 30,000 people in the Gaza Strip.

Democrats, including Mr. Schumer, are trying to draw a distinction between Israel’s widely supported right to self-defense and Netanyahu’s response to the war, which they argue has done too little to prevent civilian casualties.

But Republicans have used any criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu to paint Democrats as anti-Israel, a message promoted by former President Trump, who this week said that Jews who vote for Democrats ” “They hate their own religion,” and Republican Congressional leaders are hoping for the same. exploit.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) “made it clear to him that it is not the job of the United States to advise our Democratic allies on when to hold elections or what military operations to conduct.” ” he said. he said Wednesday.

“We obviously have a lot in common, but it seems to me that bipartisan support for Israel is creating a rift on the political left in this country,” he added.

Democrats rejected these charges and accused Republicans of politicizing Israel solely to attack Democrats.

“Leaders, whether Republican or Democratic, have to stick to the fact that this is a bipartisan issue,” said Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), a Jewish lawmaker. “It’s not in our national security interest to use it for political gain. It’s certainly not in Israel’s interest, and it’s certainly not in the interest of stability and peace in the Middle East.”

This highly provocative speech came from Capitol Hill as Trump chastised Democrats for criticizing Israel and Biden championed progressive positions amid Middle East wars, including calling for a six-week cease-fire. It is certain that it will spread to Allowing the release of hostages and allowing more aid to be moved to Gaza.

Democrats were quick to pounce on President Trump’s comments Wednesday.

“The comments are divisive and highly reprehensible,” Landsman said. “As a Jew, it’s frustrating because he and others are taking advantage of this issue, my identity, and using it to their political advantage. It’s disgusting.”

Schumer said President Trump’s comments were “absolutely disgusting and a classic example of the anti-Semitism faced by Jews, pushing the dangerous anti-Semitic trope of dual loyalty.” .

Netanyahu spoke for about 45 minutes with Senate Republicans during their weekly lunch on Wednesday, a meeting that came about after the Israeli leader called McConnell last week and asked if he would speak at the meeting.

Part of the conversation focused on the widely anticipated Israeli invasion of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Hawley said Netanyahu told senators: “They’re going to work on it.”

The discussion also touched on Schumer’s comments about radioactive materials. Hawley said the comment came up during a question-and-answer session and that Netanyahu was “very candid.”

“He said he thought Mr. Schumer’s comments were completely inappropriate. And, I wish he could be more frank, he said, ‘I thought that was an outrageous thing to say.'” Hawley he said. “And he said that Israel will never and never intends to dictate to the United States how to conduct elections or who to elect, and that no sovereign nation would prevent such interference. , said he thought it was completely inappropriate.”

Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) said Netanyahu has made it clear that he “will not follow the direction of Senator Schumer or President Biden.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Johnson on Wednesday pivoted to the Israel debate, telling reporters that he had met with Prime Minister Netanyahu that morning and “reiterated House Republicans’ strong support for Israel and efforts in Israel,” and told reporters that Mr. He expressed his “strong opposition” to the comment. .

“We believe that his attempts to suggest how Israel should run its internal affairs in the midst of conflict are not only reckless, but dangerous,” he continued. . “So we expect House Republicans to continue to move forward and reiterate their support for Israel at this critical time.”

Minutes later, he went a step further, telling reporters he was considering inviting the controversial Israeli leader to address Congress, adding: “At a time when Israel is going through a huge struggle, It is very important for us to show our solidarity and support with Israel.”

But Democrats see the invitation as an attempt to politicize the changing relationship between the United States and Israel, seeking to score a political victory over America’s long-standing relationship with its closest ally in the Middle East. He blames the Republican Party.

“It’s a shame to play politics with that kind of relationship when the focus should be on ending the war,” said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).

Al Weaver and Filip Timotija contributed.