Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is facing a backlash from some Democrats and pro-Israel groups after calling for new elections in Israel to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Schumer made the comments on Tuesday in a speech on the Senate floor, where he condemned Netanyahu’s handling of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas and his efforts to undermine the independence of the Israeli judiciary. “We cannot remain silent when our friends, our allies, take actions that are counter to our values,” Schumer said. “That is why I am calling for the government of Israel to hold new elections.
The people of Israel deserve a leader who will unite them, not divide them.” Schumer’s comments were immediately met with criticism from some Democrats, who accused him of interfering in Israel’s internal politics. “It is not our place to tell the people of Israel who their leaders should be,” said Sen.
Bob Menendez (D-NJ). “We should be supporting Israel, not undermining its democracy.” Pro-Israel groups also condemned Schumer’s remarks, accusing him of bias and supporting anti-Israel forces.
“Schumer’s call for new elections is a dangerous and irresponsible attempt to interfere in Israel’s democratic process,” said the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in a statement. The White House has not yet commented on Schumer’s remarks, but sources say the administration is concerned about the potential fallout from his comments. The Israeli government has also not responded to Schumer’s call for new elections.
However, sources say that Netanyahu is likely to reject the demand, as he believes he still has the support of the majority of Israelis. The controversy over Schumer’s remarks comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Israel.
The Biden administration has been critical of Netanyahu’s government and has called for a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. It is unclear how Schumer’s comments will impact the U.S.-Israel relationship. However, it is clear that his remarks have opened a new front in the ongoing debate over Israel’s future.
