Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Feb. 27, 2024. Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images

By Jacob Kornbluh March 14, 2024

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer harshly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, calling his policies and approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict no longer serve the interests of Israel and its citizens. 

“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,” Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor, adding that it’s “a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government.” 

The senior Democrat criticized Netanyahu for rejecting the Biden administration’s proposal to discuss the establishment of a Palestinian state on the day after the war. “As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after Oct. 7,” Schumer said. “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.” 

Schumer’s remarks reflect a shift in tone towards Netanyahu in recent weeks amid growing frustration about his handling of the war in Gaza and reluctance to discuss a post-war plan. Biden, who hasn’t spoken to the Israeli prime minister since Feb. 15, has warned that a promised Israeli military operation in the Gazan city of Rafah, without plans for evacuating more than a million displaced Palestinians who are sheltering there, would cross a “red line” for his administration. Vice President Kamala Harris said in a recent interview that the U.S. should differentiate between the Israeli government and the citizens of Israel when discussing the day after the war. 

Schumer has maintained a good working relationship with Netanyahu even as Democrats have become increasingly critical of him. Schumer traveled to Israel a week after the Oct. 7 attack to assure Israelis that the U.S. stands with them, Democrats and Republicans alike. 

Drawing a line 

Schumer has maintained a good working relationship with Netanyahu even as Democrats have become increasingly critical of him. Schumer traveled to Israel a week after the Oct. 7 attack to assure Israelis that the U.S. stands with them, Democrats and Republicans alike. 

But as support for Israel is waning, in particular among younger voters, Democrats have sought to differentiate between the Israeli government –  the most right-wing government in the nation’s history —and the citizens of Israel when discussing the day after the war. 

Netanyahu’s standing in Israeli public opinion polls has fallen significantly since Oct. 7. A recent poll showed that 64% of Israelis favor new elections after the war. Most surveys conducted in recent months show support for Netanyahu’s ruling party plummeting. 

Last week, Schumer hosted Benny Gantz, a senior war cabinet minister and Netanyahu’s political rival who is leading in the polls as the preferred candidate for prime minister, during a brief visit to the U.S. 

In his remarks, Schumer said a significant portion of the Israeli population is ready for change. “As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may,” he said. “But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice. There needs to be a fresh debate about the future of Israel after October 7.” 

Schumer also hinted that Congress may use U.S. military aid to Israel as “leverage” if Netanyahu’s government remains in power “and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing U.S. standards for assistance.”

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