**Key Takeaways**
– Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has voiced significant criticism against the Israeli government, calling for new elections to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
– Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., emphasized that the current coalition no longer meets Israel’s needs since the conflict with Hamas began on Oct. 7.
– He highlighted that the world has drastically changed, and the Israeli government’s vision is outdated, stifling the Israeli people.
– Schumer accused Netanyahu of prioritizing political survival over Israel’s best interests and failing to support the formation of an independent Palestinian state, aligning with far-right extremists.
– The Senate Majority Leader stressed that Israel’s survival is at risk if it becomes isolated internationally.
– He called for Israel to adjust its strategy against Hamas and better protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
– Schumer supports a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, as advocated by President Joe Biden, but opposes a permanent cease-fire.
– Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized Schumer’s remarks as hypocritical.
– The Biden administration has been urged to facilitate a cease-fire and increase aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
– Biden has directed the U.S. military to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean for humanitarian aid and authorized air-dropping food and medicine into Gaza.
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**Article Rewrite**
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made a significant critique of the Israeli government on Thursday. He called for new elections to find a replacement for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This marks one of the most substantial criticisms from a U.S. leader since the conflict with Hamas began.
Schumer holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S. He stated on the Senate floor that the coalition led by Netanyahu no longer serves Israel’s needs post-October 7.
“The world has seen radical changes since then,” Schumer remarked. He pointed out that the current Israeli government’s vision is outdated, leaving its citizens constrained.
Netanyahu, according to Schumer, has diverted from the right path. He accused Netanyahu of putting his political survival above Israel’s welfare and showing disinterest in establishing an independent Palestinian state. This stance has been a long-term goal of the U.S.
Schumer criticized Netanyahu for aligning with far-right extremists like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. He believes this has driven support for Israel to historically low levels worldwide.
“The survival of Israel is at stake if it becomes an international outcast,” Schumer warned. He urged Israel to revise its approach to the conflict with Hamas and to make greater efforts to safeguard Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Schumer is in favor of a temporary halt in hostilities between Israel and Hamas, echoing President Joe Biden’s stance. However, he is against a permanent cease-fire, arguing it would allow Hamas to strengthen and launch more attacks on Israeli civilians.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell responded to Schumer’s comments, labeling them as grotesque and hypocritical. He criticized the call for the removal of a democratically elected leader of Israel.
The Biden administration has received increasing calls to help mediate a cease-fire and to boost aid for Palestinians in Gaza. In his recent State of the Union address, Biden announced directives for the U.S. military to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean near Gaza. This would facilitate the delivery of large shipments of food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters. Additionally, Biden has authorized the U.S. to air-drop humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Concerns have been raised to Schumer’s office regarding Netanyahu’s prioritization of the release of American hostages in Gaza. Families of the hostages were present during the State of the Union address.
As Biden seeks re-election, he faces pressure from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. They urge him to exert more pressure on Netanyahu, who has been Israel’s Prime Minister since December 2022, following the loss of majority by the government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. Netanyahu has also held the position multiple times before, from March 2009 to June 2021.
On Thursday morning, the Biden administration announced sanctions against three extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank and two outposts in the territory. Earlier in February, Biden issued an executive order targeting Jewish settlers in the West Bank who have committed acts of violence against Palestinians.