In Washington, the reaction was swift from Republicans and Israeli figures after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer openly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the Gaza conflict, suggesting Israel should conduct new elections. They accused Schumer of overstepping by meddling in the electoral affairs of a key ally.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell responded to Schumer’s comments, labeling it hypocritical for Americans to be upset about foreign interference in their democracy while calling for the ousting of a democratically elected leader. House Speaker Mike Johnson deemed Schumer’s suggestion for new elections as inappropriate. Even Benny Gantz, Netanyahu’s political opponent and a member of Israel’s war cabinet, found Schumer’s comments counterproductive.
Schumer’s pointed critique of Netanyahu, stating that the Israeli leader had veered off course and was hindering peace, was bold but not unprecedented. Increasingly, U.S. officials and their allies are engaging in the political discourse of other nations. This trend is evident in the intricate and long-standing relationship between American and Israeli leaders over the past 75 years.
Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, highlighted the mutual interference in politics between the U.S. and Israel, debunking the myth that such interventions are uncommon. In a notable instance from 2019, President Donald Trump recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights right before Netanyahu faced a challenging election, providing a significant political lift.
In 2015, Republican House Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu to address Congress amid sensitive Iran nuclear program negotiations and close to Israel’s national election, without coordinating with President Barack Obama’s administration. Obama’s decision not to invite Netanyahu to the White House, citing the proximity to the Israeli election, contrasted with Bill Clinton’s approach in 1996 when he invited Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres for a counter-terrorism accord signing before an election, aiming to boost Peres’ electoral chances.
The U.S. has often adopted a selective stance on election interference, with the level of openness in meddling seemingly dependent on the ally’s economic stature. Edward Frantz, a historian at the University of Indianapolis, noted the dual nature of American politicians’ approach to speaking out or staying silent on elections, emphasizing the desire to avoid foreign interference in U.S. politics.
Recent years have seen blurred lines in international electoral politics, as world leaders express their preferences in the upcoming Biden-Trump rematch. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, during a White House visit, openly supported Biden, while criticizing House Speaker Johnson for stalling a spending bill crucial for Ukraine.
Biden criticized Trump for hosting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a proponent of “illiberal democracy,” and the U.S. expressed concern over Hungary’s democratic backslide. The controversy around Schumer’s comments adds tension to the U.S.-Israel relationship, already strained by the rising Palestinian death toll and challenges in delivering aid to Gaza.
Biden appreciated Schumer’s speech but did not endorse the call for new elections, highlighting ongoing tensions in the U.S.-Israeli relationship. Historical instances, such as Eisenhower’s sanctions threat during the Suez Crisis and Bush’s loan guarantees holdup, show past U.S. pressures on Israel. However, Schumer’s push for new elections marks a new phase in the complex U.S.-Israel dynamic, reflecting a deep crisis of confidence after years of Netanyahu’s leadership.