Israeli Minister Critiques Schumer’s Stance on Jewish Identity

Israeli Diaspora Issues Minister Amichai Chikli strongly criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Thursday, labeling him a “self-loathing Jew.” Chikli accused Schumer of supporting individuals who promote anti-Israel sentiments, specifically mentioning left-wing candidate Zohran Mamdani.

In his statement posted to social media, Chikli, who is part of the Likud party and holds significant responsibility in combating global anti-Semitism, expressed concern about a rising trend among Jews who, in his opinion, betray their own people and inadvertently contribute to anti-Israel extremism.

“This pattern of Jews who have disdain for their identity is unfortunately recurrent throughout history,” Chikli explained. “It’s essentially a new form of anti-Semitism.” He pointed fingers at Democratic Jewish senators and Congress members, particularly noting Schumer’s backing of Mamdani, whom he described as a supporter of Hamas and a promoter of the globalization of the Intifada.

Mamdani, who is running for mayor in New York City, is known for his democratic socialist views and a history of anti-Israel rhetoric. His refusal to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state becomes even more contentious when paired with his support for the BDS movement.

After Mamdani’s unexpected win last month, Schumer praised his campaign efforts rather than voicing any criticism towards his radical views. He noted their previous collaborations to aid taxi drivers and emphasized Mamdani’s grasp on issues like affordability and fairness.

This raised eyebrows, especially since Schumer had previously warned about figures like Mamdani potentially distorting Jewish identity and heritages. In his own writings, Schumer has expressed fears regarding a surge in anti-Semitism in America, including what some see as troubling attempts by Mamdani to draw parallels with historical Jewish resistance movements.

Chikli also targeted left-leaning Israeli media, particularly Haaretz, equating its critiques of Israel to the anti-Semitism he attributes to outlets like Al Jazeera. He argued that the narratives presented in such media could do more harm than good.

Comments from Chikli echoed sentiments previously shared by Donald Trump, who mockingly referred to Schumer as having shifted his identity from a proud Jew to a supporter of anti-Israel sentiments. Chikli’s remarks come at a time of rising tensions between the Israeli government and progressive American politicians.

In the wake of ongoing military actions against Hamas and increased threats from Iran, Chikli cautioned that betrayal from prominent Jewish Democrats like Schumer represents a particularly dangerous strain of modern anti-Semitism.