WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on Israel to hold new elections, saying he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost his way” in the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and a growing humanitarian crisis there.
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Schumer, the first Jewish majority leader in the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., will strongly criticize Netanyahu in a lengthy speech Thursday morning on the Senate floor. In prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press, Schumer says the prime minister has put himself in a coalition of far-right extremists and “as a result, he has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows.”
“Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,” Schumer will say.
The speech comes as an increasing number of Democrats have pushed back against Israel and as President Joe Biden has stepped up public pressure on Netanyahu’s government, warning that he needs to pay more attention to the civilian death toll in Gaza. The U.S. this month began airdrops of badly needed humanitarian aid and announced it will establish a temporary pier to get more assistance into Gaza via sea.
Schumer has so far positioned himself as a strong ally of the Israeli government, visiting the country just days after the brutal Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and giving a lengthy speech on the Senate floor in December decrying ”brazen and widespread antisemitism the likes of which we haven’t seen in generations in this country, if ever.”
But he will say on the Senate floor Thursday that the ”Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past.”
Schumer says Netanyahu, who has long opposed Palestinian statehood, is one of several obstacles in the way of the two-state solution pushed by the United States. He is also blaming right-wing Israelis, Hamas and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Until they are all removed from the equation, he says, “there will never be peace in Israel and Gaza and the West Bank.”
Schumer says the United States cannot dictate the outcome of an election in Israel, but “a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government.”
It is unclear how Schumer’s unusually direct call will be received in Israel. The next parliamentary elections are expected in 2026 but could be held before then.
Many Israelis hold Netanyahu responsible for failing to stop the Oct. 7 cross-border raid by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and his popularity appears to have taken a hit as a result.
U.S. priorities in the region have increasingly been hampered by Netanyahu’s Cabinet, which is dominated by ultranationalists. The far-right Cabinet members share Netanyahu’s opposition to Palestinian statehood and other aims that successive U.S. administrations have seen as essential to resolving Palestinian-Israeli conflicts long-term.
In a hot-mic moment while speaking to lawmakers after his State of the Union address, Biden promised a “come to Jesus” moment with Netanyahu.
And Vice President Kamala Harris, Schumer and other lawmakers met last week in Washington with Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet and a far more popular rival of Netanyahu — a visit that drew a rebuke from the Israeli prime minister.
Gantz joined Netanyahu’s government in the War Cabinet soon after the Hamas attacks. But Gantz is expected to leave the government once the heaviest fighting subsides, signaling the period of national unity has ended. A return to mass demonstrations could ramp up pressure on Netanyahu’s deeply unpopular coalition to hold early elections.
Schumer said that if Israel tightens its control over Gaza and the West Bank and creates a “de facto single state,” then there should be no reasonable expectation that Hamas and their allies will lay down arms. It could mean constant war, he said.
“As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may,” Schumer said. “But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice.”
If this is the level at which Mr Netanyahu is criticized and in this obvious way, taking in consideration the upcoming elections in the USA, Mr Netanyahu, seems to me that you are doing a good job. Keep it up.
Moshiach is coming soon and will take you over.
Their concern is winning elections in the USA after strategically bringing artificially many muslims into the USA, that now they need to take into consideration, while yours is the safety of the Jewish people, there is no comparison.
Wow. The world is falling apart. Zelensky has stopped elections in Ukraine, and Biden and Schumer are trying to force a regime change in Israel?! There’s a war cabinet, a unity government and scheduled elections and they’re trying to interfere in Israel’s leadership. That is really something.
Last I heard, Chuck-you Schumer was an American NOT in the Knesset AND with no voting rights in Israel.
Go back to sleep, Chucky & leave independent countries to decide for themselves how to run their governments.
Like the US was told this week, Israel is not a US protectorate.
Shumer just that you know, that you and your bunch will be sooner out of a job
Don’t shlep this vile bum to our shuls, rabbis and events, election time.
Disgusting words only worthy of a self -hating Jew
Hey Shmucky, ever heard of “Froeign election interference”? Yeah the thing that you falsely accused Russia of doing with Trump?
Perhaps urs time to replace Schumer
He’s forgotten his way and his constituents
What an evil Rasha, a modern day Haman.
He was always a sleaze ball. Never ever defended Israel when it mattered most and at the same time portrayed himself as a staunch supporter of Israel.
I never fell for it. I always saw right thru him. I was forever disgusted by his two faced phony personality.
What’s amazing is that there were those that worshipped him.
For the life of mine I never understood why. Name me ONE thing he has done for the Jewish community let alone Israel.
Nothing. Zero. A self serving piece of garbage.
Will Ezra publish an oped, to protect this Rasha Hamas enabler?
Yes Jews are always at fault, somewhat. They need to play by the rules, even when it’s suicde.
Jews need to fight for their life with their hands tied behind their back.
Chucky Schmucky siding with hamas like so many of his party. This means Chuck Schmucky will side with biden when he unilaterally declares a pali state before the election so the democrats hamas supporting base vote for him.
The only ones to go are going to be Schumer and Biden the sooner they go the sooner the world will be a batter place to live
Biden’s bullies drew him aside and said, ” We want Michigan and Muslim votes. You’re a hi- profile Jew, so come out in public and demand BB out. Now it looks more plausible. We’re using you, Jewboy, to do our dirty work.”
Follow the trail to the Israeli leftists
and American leftists ,who hate BB, Shomron/Yehuda , and judicial reform. They’re involved . J Street and the other scum.
Mr. Schumer ! a much better way to help Israel , instead of your advice : doubling the money support to Israel , and needless saying stopping any money to Iran.
Lots of negative comments here calling him names BUT, when election day rolls around he will win again. The machers, Shvitzers, Rebbes, Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva will all tell us to vote for him for obviou$ Rea$on$.
First, I’ll push phony impeachment against Trump to throw him out and now Bibi.
Zelensky has banned elections but shmucky wants israel to call elections early.
Oy how we have suffered over time from the mayofisnikim! That a person who is proudly “Jewish” should think he has the right to criticize Israel in her dire hour and to disparage her leader, is horrifying and infuriating.
Schumer again! This man always seems to be on the WRONG side of the fence. Shouldn’t he be calling for the ouster of the Palis’ leadership – not Israel’s? Stop the Israel bashing, you dope!
Impeachment imposter, kneeler to BLM, violence threatener against Supreme Court, and now this.
Biden/Emhoff have clearly lost their way. Based on Schumers logic, we should have new elections here in the US TODAY!!!
This has Obama all over it. Gabtz visiting? Did he tell Biden he will approve a Pali state? A Pali state makes Gaza look like a cake walk. Open ports a standing army billions flowing in from Jew haters in Europe and USA. A disaster. Schumer is a self serving Jino weasel. He is evil for the Jewish people in a macro level. Sure micro level he gives out money but think of the bigger picture those who support him for the welfare he doles out
Always know, Schumer is someone who first thinks of the impact on his political career before anything else. There’s no question, he’s trying to appease Biden and the core Democratic party. As always, one of our own has to constantly show he’s an independent thinker and neutral. As result, goes against the better good of his OWN people.
Sometimes, we’re our worst enemy. Perfect example, this story.
https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact
Trump must be gleaming, Natanyahu being ousted by the President he embraced. Backstabber!!!
Chuck-u Schumer. A bit vile but fitting.
To Yaakov: I would not use the term Zionist gov, however maybe Ben Gvir may do a better job eradicating Hamas altogether including Raffah , ASAP. No more Hamas , quickly .
Remember He said,
‘my name is schumer, like shomer guardian” with guardians like this unmitigated piece of excretment who needs enimies? Andd yet Yidden continue to vote for this self depricating JINO. He should be turned away from any shul he visits and definetlyRabbaim should refuse any so called “visits” Wake up Yidden the Fox is in the hen house.
All you New Yorkers remember this turn coat when he is next up for re election and turn him OUT
Schumer just kissed his senate seat, GOODBYE !!!
I am not a fan of Schumer however he is right about Bibi and the current government. Many Israelis are disgusted with him and want the war to end along with the freeing the hostages. It is obvious that Bibi is extending this war for political purposes. He does not care for his own citizens and especially the soldiers who are being placed everyday in a den of terrorists. How much longer does the Zionist govt want to prolong this deadly war? It must stop!
Israel has plenty of elections. The problem is the nation is just about evenly divided. New elections would work, I suppose if Bibi would have the good grace to not run. Nothing wrong with his policies, but he himself is not the right person for the job at this time. But of course if he leave parliament, he opens himself up for prosecution.