Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has stayed largely silent as others in his party have been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of Hamas’ attack in Israel Oct. 7.
But on Thursday, in a formal address on the Senate floor, Schumer delivered a scathing speech, calling for a new election in Israel. Schumer was highly critical of Netanyahu, saying he is an “obstacle to peace” and that he has “lost his way” as Israel bombards Gaza amid a growing humanitarian crisis there.
Schumer made a point of saying not only is he the majority leader in the Senate but also the highest ranking elected Jewish official in the U.S.
“I have known Prime Minister Netanyahu for a long time. While we have vehemently disagreed on many occasions, I will always respect his extraordinary bravery for Israel on the battlefield as a younger man. I believe in his heart his highest priority is the security of Israel,” he said. “However, I also believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel,” he said.
In this image from video provided by Senate TV, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Washington, March 14, 2024.
Senate TV via AP
“As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The world has changed — radically — since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past,” he said.
“At this critical juncture, I believe 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,” he said.
“I also believe a majority of the Israeli public will recognize the need for change, and I believe that holding a new election once the war starts to wind down would give Israelis an opportunity to express their vision for the post-war future,” he added.
He also called for a two-state solution.
“The only real and sustainable solution to this decades-old conflict is a negotiated two-state solution — a demilitarized Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in equal measures of peace, security, prosperity, dignity, and mutual recognition,” he said.
Schumer also called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to step aside.
“For there to be any hope of peace in the future, Abbas must step down and be replaced by a new generation of Palestinian leaders who will work towards attaining peace with a Jewish State. Otherwise, the West Bank will continue to suffer, and Hamas — or some similarly extreme organization — will continue to maintain a foothold in Gaza,” he said.
In this 14 February 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet for talks at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Feb. 14, 2024, in Jerusalem.
Bernd von Jutrczenka/Picture Alliance via Getty Images, FILE
After Schumer wrapped his remarks, two of his Democratic Senate colleagues embraced Schumer with hugs and handshakes as he walked off the floor.
Another one of his colleagues, Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii tweeted: “This is a gutsy, historic speech from Leader Schumer. I know he didn’t arrive at this conclusion casually or painlessly.”
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, speaking after Schumer, in a fairly remarkable rebuke, said calls for the election of a new leader in Israel are “grotesque” and “unprecedented.”
“It is grotesque and hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about foreign interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of a democratically elected leader of Israel,” McConnell said on the Senate floor moments later. “This is unprecedented. We should not treat fellow democracies this way at all.”
While he did not reference Schumer by name or refer directly to his remarks, it was clearly a response to Schumer’s speech.
McConnell said Israel’s unity government deserves “the deference befitting a sovereign democratic country.”
“Things that upset left-wing activists are not the prime ministers policies they are Israel’s policies. Make no mistake, the Democratic party doesn’t have an anti-Bibi problem, it has an anti Israel problem,” McConnell said.
He said calling for new elections is an affront to Israel’s democracy.
“Only Israel’s citizens should have a say in who runs their government,” McConnell continued. “This is the very definition of democracy and sovereignty. Either we respect their decisions or we disrespect their democracy.”
Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, has recently made headlines by advocating for new elections in Israel and cautioning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strayed from his path. Schumer’s comments come at a time of political turmoil in Israel, with Netanyahu facing corruption charges and a fractured coalition government.
In a statement released on Monday, Schumer expressed his concern over the current state of affairs in Israel and called for new elections to be held as soon as possible. He argued that the Israeli people deserve a government that is free from corruption and that can effectively address the challenges facing the country.
Schumer also took aim at Netanyahu, accusing him of straying from his path and putting his own interests above those of the Israeli people. The Senator pointed to Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial and his divisive leadership style as evidence of his failure to lead effectively.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way and is no longer capable of leading Israel in a positive direction,” Schumer said in his statement. “It is time for new leadership that can unite the country and address the pressing issues facing Israel.”
Schumer’s comments have sparked a debate within the Israeli political establishment, with some politicians welcoming his support for new elections and others criticizing his intervention in Israeli affairs. However, many Israelis have expressed frustration with the current state of politics in their country and are calling for change.
The call for new elections in Israel comes at a critical time, with the country facing a number of challenges, including ongoing conflict with Palestinians, economic uncertainty, and the global COVID-19 pandemic. Many Israelis are looking for strong leadership that can navigate these challenges and bring about positive change.
As one of the most prominent Jewish American politicians, Schumer’s words carry weight in both the United States and Israel. His advocacy for new elections and criticism of Netanyahu could influence the political landscape in Israel and shape the future of the country.
It remains to be seen how Netanyahu and other Israeli politicians will respond to Schumer’s comments, but one thing is clear: the call for new elections in Israel is gaining momentum, and the Israeli people are eager for change.
