Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York and the majority leader, made a strong speech on the Senate floor on Thursday. He criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, calling him a significant barrier to peace in the Middle East. Schumer urged for new leadership in Israel, five months into the ongoing war.
Many Democrats have voiced their disapproval of Netanyahu’s leadership and his right-leaning government. Even President Biden has labeled the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza as excessive. Schumer’s speech represents the most direct criticism from a high-ranking American official, suggesting that it’s time for Israelis to consider replacing Netanyahu.
Schumer, who is the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., expressed his belief that Israel’s security is of utmost importance to Netanyahu. However, he also believes that Netanyahu has prioritized his political career over Israel’s best interests. Schumer criticized Netanyahu for being too lenient towards the civilian casualties in Gaza, which has led to a decline in global support for Israel. He warned that Israel risks becoming isolated if this continues.
Schumer’s comments reflect the growing dissatisfaction among Democrats, especially progressives, with how Israel is conducting the war and its impact on Palestinian civilians. This situation has created a strategic and political challenge for President Biden, with Republicans showing stronger support for Netanyahu as Democrats distance themselves.
The day before Schumer’s speech, Senate Republicans had invited Netanyahu to speak at their retreat in Washington. However, due to a last-minute scheduling conflict, Netanyahu couldn’t attend, and Ambassador Michael Herzog spoke on his behalf.
Schumer emphasized that his critique was not an attempt to influence Israel’s electoral outcomes. He defended Israel, addressing the “inaccurate perception” that Israel was to blame for civilian deaths in Gaza, without acknowledging how Hamas uses civilians as shields. He acknowledged the difficulty Israelis face in considering a two-state solution given their current trauma.
Schumer argued that the Netanyahu coalition is no longer suitable for Israel’s needs, stating that the world has drastically changed and that the Israeli government’s vision is outdated. He advocated for a two-state solution, suggesting that Netanyahu’s rejection of Palestinian statehood compromises Israel’s future.
At this crucial time, Schumer believes a new election is necessary to allow Israelis to make an informed decision about their future, especially as many have lost faith in their government’s direction. He stressed that as a democracy, Israel has the right to select its leaders, emphasizing the need for a fresh debate on Israel’s future post-October 7.
This speech marks the second time Schumer has addressed the Israeli-Hamas conflict from the Senate floor. In November, he condemned the rise of antisemitism in America, which has increased since Israel retaliated against Hamas for its October 7 attack on Israeli civilians. Schumer’s earlier speech targeted his party members, cautioning that some may unintentionally support antisemitism under the guise of social justice.
In his latest speech, Schumer directly criticized Netanyahu and far-right members of his government for not aligning with Jewish values. He condemned their lack of action to protect Palestinian civilians and their failure to engage in peace discussions. Schumer warned that if Netanyahu’s government remains unchanged, the U.S. might have to use its influence to encourage a new direction in Israeli policy.