Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has provoked outrage after he gave a speech demanding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu be replaced as the Jewish state’s leader.
During a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Schumer blasted Netanyahu over his handling of Israel’s war with Hamas.
While pushing plans for a two-state solution, Schumer declared that Netanyahu is an obstacle to the agenda.
The top Democrat said he believed that “Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel.”
Along with Netanyahu, Schumer listed other obstacles which included
“Hamas and the Palestinians who support and tolerate their evil ways; the radical right-wing Israelis in government and society; [and] Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.”
According to Schumer, new Israeli elections are “the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel.”
He added that he believes a majority of Israelis also recognize a need for change in their government.
Schumer’s comments were seen by some as a form of “election interference.”
Many took to social media to blast Schumer for calling on Israel to hold new elections to replace Netanyahu.
“This is one of the most disgusting speeches ever given in the Senate,” Fox News contributor Ari Fleischer summarized.
“1) Senators don’t get to pick who foreign democracies elect.
“This is election interference.
“2) Schumer doesn’t understand how Israel is united to destroy Hamas.
“It’s bigger than Bibi.”
This is one of the most disgusting speeches ever given in the Senate.
1) Senators don’t get to pick who foreign democracies elect. This is election interference.
2) Schumer doesn’t understand how Israel is united to destroy Hamas. It’s bigger than Bibi. https://t.co/ffzbgV2olp
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) March 14, 2024
Former CBS News correspondent Mark Knoller asked:
“Would Schumer still feel that way if his relatives were still held by Hamas?”
Would Schumer still feel that way if his relatives were still held by Hamas?
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 14, 2024
“For whatever reason (and I suspect it is Cornell West line on many state ballots in Fall) Democrats have concluded that 100% of their Jewish American voters and friends of Israel who are not Jewish will stick w/them regardless if they just attack @netanyahu,” conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt wrote.
“That seems…unlikely.”
For whatever reason (and I suspect it is Cornell West line on many state ballots in Fall) Democrats have concluded that 100% of their Jewish American voters and friends of Israel who are not Jewish will stick w/them regardless if they just attack @netanyahu. That seems…unlikely. https://t.co/r7Th8WMd1j
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) March 14, 2024
“This is outrageously inappropriate,” columnist and author David Marcus exclaimed.
“Why on earth would any nation want to be an ally of the US today?
“We treat them far worse than our enemies.”
This is outrageously inappropriate. Why on earth would any nation want to be an ally of the US today? We treat them far worse than our enemies. https://t.co/CZ37vyIUoV
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) March 14, 2024
National Review senior writer Dan McLaughlin posted:
“Funny how Schumer isn’t calling for new elections to replace the leadership of China or Iran.”
Funny how Schumer isn't calling for new elections to replace the leadership of China or Iran. https://t.co/Jk35tDo96a
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) March 14, 2024
“When Schumer gives a generally pro-Israel speech but gives it mainly to attack Bibi (for domestic political reasons) and loses the Israeli Ambassador,” Fox News Radio political analyst Josh Kraushaar noted.
“It shows how incoherent the Dem party’s Israel messaging is.”
When Schumer gives a generally pro-Israel speech but gives it mainly to attack Bibi (for domestic political reasons) and loses the Israeli Ambassador….
It shows how incoherent the Dem party’s Israel messaging is. https://t.co/bXcUDll5pl
— Josh Kraushaar (@JoshKraushaar) March 14, 2024
Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen remarked:
“Imagine a foreign politician calling on the U.S. to dump Bush a few months after 9/11.”
Imagine a foreign politician calling on the U.S. to dump Bush a few months after 9/11 https://t.co/OAHEUbwCxT
— Marc Thiessen 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇦🇹🇼🇮🇱 (@marcthiessen) March 14, 2024
New York Post columnist John Podhoretz joked:
“I call for new elections in New York state.
“Chuck Schumer is a creature of the past.
“He is an obstacle to peace.
“Oh wait, that’s not how we do things? Sorry.”
I call for new elections in New York state. Chuck Schumer is a creature of the past. He is an obstacle to peace. Oh wait, that's not how we do things? Sorry.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) March 14, 2024
In his reasoning for calling for elections to potentially replace Netanyahu, Schumer said:
“He has put himself in coalition with far-right extremists like Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, and as a result, he has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows.”
Schumer emphasized that Israel will not be able to overcome such a poor public image.
“Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,” he said.
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