TL/DR –
Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader from New York, has publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing him as a significant obstacle to peace in the Middle East. In a speech on the Senate floor, Schumer suggested that Netanyahu’s focus on political survival was not in the best interests of Israel, and called for new leadership in the country. Schumer’s comments reflect growing dissatisfaction among Democrats over Israel’s handling of the war and its impact on Palestinian civilians, a sentiment that has created a political dilemma for President Biden.
US Senator Schumer Calls for New Leadership in Israel
US Senator Chuck Schumer recently delivered a speech criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel as an obstacle to Middle East peace. He called for new Israeli leadership amid the ongoing war.
Several Democratic lawmakers have criticized Netanyahu’s leadership and his coalition, including President Biden who described the Israeli military’s offensive in Gaza as excessive. Schumer’s critique of Netanyahu was particularly sharp, effectively urging Israeli citizens to reconsider their leadership.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has allowed his political survival to overrule Israel’s best interests,” Schumer argued. He expressed concern about Netanyahu’s tolerance of the civilian toll in Gaza, which is driving worldwide support for Israel to record lows.
This speech reflects growing dissatisfaction among Democrats, particularly progressives, with Israel’s war conduct and its effect on Palestinian civilians. This issue has created a strategic and political challenge for President Biden.
In response, Senator Mitch McConnell criticized Americans calling for Netanyahu’s removal as “grotesque and hypocritical”, labeling it an unprecedented action. “The Democratic Party has an anti-Israel problem,” McConnell stated.
Schumer’s comments followed Senate Republicans inviting Netanyahu to speak at a party retreat in Washington. However, due to a last-minute scheduling conflict, Netanyahu could not appear and Ambassador Michael Herzog, Israel’s envoy to the United States, spoke instead.
Addressing these developments, Schumer stressed he was not trying to dictate Israel’s electoral outcomes. He maintained that his criticisms were rooted in his love for the country, which he said American Jews “love in our bones.”
Schumer attributed an “inaccurate perception” of the war to disproportionate blame on Israel for civilian deaths in Gaza, with inadequate focus on how Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields.
He was, however, unsparing in his criticism of Netanyahu. Schumer named the prime minister as one of the key barriers to achieving Middle East peace, alongside Hamas, radical right-wing Israelis, and Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority.
According to Schumer, the only solution to this long-standing conflict is a two-state solution: “a demilitarized Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace, security, prosperity, and dignity.” He added that Netanyahu’s rejection of Palestinian statehood jeopardizes Israel’s future.
“I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel,” Schumer said, firmly believing that the majority of the Israeli public “will recognize the need for change.”
His speech was the second time he addressed the Israeli-Hamas war on the Senate floor. Schumer emphasized that the war has prompted him to contemplate more deeply about his Jewish faith and heritage, as well as the moral and political dilemmas it presents for Jews in Israel and the United States.
In November, Schumer delivered a personal speech against rising antisemitism in America, a trend that has spiked since Israel began retaliating against Hamas for its October terrorist attack against defenseless Israeli civilians.
His latest speech was targeted at Netanyahu and his far-right governing coalition. He claimed they were not living up to Jewish values, and if they remained in power, “the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course.”
Many have criticized Schumer’s speech, including both right and left political factions. Layla Elabed, a campaign manager for antiwar group Listen to Michigan, argues that “Senator Schumer is beginning to shift but far too slowly and with little substance for what actions Biden can take now to stop the outrageous civilian death toll in Gaza.”
—
Read More US News