Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took to the floor Thursday to call for “new elections” in Israel once the Jewish state’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip “starts to subside,” calling for Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu to hold “new elections.” He blamed the prime minister and “radical” members. His security cabinet was criticized by Republicans and Israeli leaders alike, calling it an “obstacle” to peace.
The unusual comments by the Brooklyn Democrat, 73, come amid growing resentment among progressives and far-left Democrats over the Biden administration’s rejection of calls for a cease-fire in the five-month war, and concerns it could become dangerous. It was issued in response to concerns that there was a possibility of exposure. re-election of the president.
In remarks that amounted to an unusual public call for the removal of the leader of a foreign ally, Schumer said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and security ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir had expressed support for the Israeli people. He claimed that he had lost the election and that new elections would be held. It is the only way to secure the future of the Jewish state.
“Of course, the United States cannot and should not influence the outcome of elections.” “That is for the people of Israel to decide. I believe the people understand better than anyone that Israel cannot hope to succeed as a pariah, opposed by the rest of the world.”
“As a lifelong supporter of Israel, after October 7, it became clear that the Netanyahu coalition no longer fits Israel’s needs,” Schumer concluded, but not as to which leader should replace him. was not mentioned.
Schumer also said, “If Prime Minister Netanyahu remains in power after the war begins to wind down and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing U.S. aid standards, the United States will be more We have no choice but to play an active role.” We are committed to using our power to shape Israeli policy to change its current course. ”
The 81-year-old president has clung to tens of thousands of “irresponsible” votes in the primaries from Democrats who criticized his support for Israel, particularly in Arab American and Muslim communities in Michigan and Minnesota. .
Schumer said he supported a temporary ceasefire to provide more humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but that a permanent halt to fighting would “only allow Hamas to rally” and delay a two-state solution. He added that it would happen.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) responded to Schumer’s comments by calling his Democratic Party’s criticism of Netanyahu “unprecedented.”
“The Jewish state of Israel deserves allies who act like allies,” McConnell said in his floor speech. “And Israel’s unity government and security cabinet deserve the respect due to a sovereign democracy.”
“The main obstacles to peace in the Israeli region are genocidal terrorists like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who massacre innocent people, and corruption in the Palestinian Authority, which has repeatedly rejected peace deals from multiple Israeli governments. leaders who have done so,” the Republican leader added.
“Foreign observers who cannot abide by these clear distinctions should refrain from expressing their opinions. Calling for the removal of leaders is grotesque and hypocritical.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition won 64 of the 120 seats in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, in the most recent national elections held in November 2022.
The term of office for the prime minister and the Knesset is four years, but early elections were often held if the coalition government collapsed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has steadfastly rejected talk of elections or a two-state solution as Israeli forces work to eliminate Hamas.
Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, accused Schumer of sending a “counterproductive” message.
Herzog: “Israel is a sovereign democracy” Posted in X. “It is unhelpful to comment on the domestic political situation of a democratic ally, especially when Israel is at war with the genocidal terrorist organization Hamas. It is counterproductive to our common goals.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s rival, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Added to his own X post: “Regardless of our political opinions, we strongly oppose outside political interference in Israel’s internal affairs.”
“We are an independent nation, not a banana republic,” Bennett added. “As the threat of terrorism looms large in the West, it would be best if the international community could support Israel in its just war and thereby protect itself.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) will also participate from the House Republican retreat at the Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, where Herzog is scheduled to speak to lawmakers.
“We believe that this is not only highly inappropriate, but that American leaders have not allowed this to happen in Israeli politics at a time when our closest allies in the region are in a fight for Israel’s survival. I want to say clearly and succinctly that it is clearly wrong to play such a divisive role.’It’s just survival,’ Johnson said.
Mr. Johnson and other House Republican leaders have also accused Iran of supporting terrorist proxies like Hamas, even though the White House and Democrats have not called strongly enough for the overthrow of jihadist leaders. I accused him of being there.
“If they wanted to focus on elections overseas, maybe they should have called an election in Gaza instead,” added Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
As the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, Schumer spoke passionately about the “grave threats facing Israel” and called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to “resign.”
He also accused Hamas and the Palestinians, who support terrorist groups in Gaza, of “destroying hopes for peace at every turn” and declared a two-state solution the only lasting solution. did.
“It was Hamas that launched this vicious campaign of suicide bombings against innocent Israelis.” [in the 1990s] derailing the national peace process in Oslo; It was Hamas that assassinated a more moderate Palestinian political representative in Gaza in 2007. Hamas has kept Gaza under repressive and undemocratic rule for nearly two decades. And it was Hamas that targeted the brave residents of Gaza who spoke out against Hamas’ actions and tried to bridge the gap between Israelis and Palestinians,” Schumer said.
The October 7th terrorist attack marked the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, with Hamas terrorists killing more than 1,200 people, including 33 Americans, and capturing hundreds more. At least 130 people, including five Americans, are believed to be held hostage in Gaza.
More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Israel Defense Forces declared war on the terrorist group, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian deaths and terrorist deaths. do not have.
Schumer accused Hamas of playing a “central role in the bloodshed” and, although he did not provide exact figures, Israel was “by no means solely responsible for the massive civilian casualties.” said.
“I am deeply concerned that most media coverage of this war, and many of the protesters opposing it, place the blame for civilian casualties and injuries solely on Israel,” he said. He said the organization’s use of Palestinians as “human shields” was “at the heart of the war.” the way they fight. ”
But he also accused Israel of “failing to uphold the clearly Jewish values that we hold so dear,” and then directly criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying, “Don’t be our enemy. We must be better than our enemies.”
“I have known Prime Minister Netanyahu for a long time. Although we have had many sharp disagreements, I will always respect his extraordinary courage for Israel on the battlefield as a young man. ” Schumer said of the Israeli leader.
“I believe in his heart, and he puts Israel’s security first. But I also believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu has put his own political survival ahead of Israel’s best interests and that he has I believe we have lost sight of the situation,” he said, accusing Netanyahu of being “too willing to tolerate civilian casualties in Gaza.” That has pushed support for Israel to historic lows around the world. ”
