Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party has strongly criticized U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after he called for Israeli elections to replace Netanyahu during a Senate floor speech on Thursday. In a statement, the party accused Schumer of disrespecting Israel's democracy and undermining its elected government, particularly during a time of war.
"Israel is an independent and proud democracy that elected Prime Minister Netanyahu, not a banana republic," the Likud party's statement read. "Prime Minister Netanyahu leads a determined policy that is supported by a huge majority of the people."
The party further claimed, without providing evidence, that "the Israeli public supports a complete victory over Hamas, rejects any international dictates to establish a Palestinian terrorist state, and opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza." They added, "It is expected of Senator Schumer to respect Israel's elected government and not undermine it. This is always true, but even more so during wartime."
In his speech, which was billed as a major address on a two-state solution, Schumer listed Netanyahu as one of four obstacles to achieving lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The other obstacles he mentioned were "Hamas, and the Palestinians who support and tolerate their evil ways, radical, right-wing Israelis in government and society, [and] Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas."
Schumer, who is Jewish, expressed his belief that "Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take the precedence over the best interests of Israel." He argued that Israeli elections are "the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel," adding that he believed a majority of Israelis also recognize the need for change in their government.
The majority leader explained his reasoning for calling on elections to potentially replace Netanyahu, stating, "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 the importance of Israel's public image, warning that "Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah."
Following Schumer's speech, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., addressed his Democratic colleague's remarks without naming him directly. McConnell condemned the call for new Israeli elections as "unprecedented," stating, "The Jewish state of Israel deserves an ally that acts like one."
"Israel's unity, government and security cabinet deserve the deference befitting a sovereign democratic country," McConnell added, suggesting that "foreign observers" who cannot recognize these distinctions should refrain from offering their own prescriptions. He also claimed that the Democratic Party's issue is not with Netanyahu, but with the state of Israel itself.
Michael Herzog, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., reacted to the news on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "Israel is a sovereign democracy. It is unhelpful, all the more so as Israel is at war against the genocidal terror organization Hamas, to comment on the domestic political scene of a democratic ally. It is counterproductive to our common goals."
The debate over a two-state solution has been ongoing, with Netanyahu rejecting the prospect as recently as January, claiming that he would not compromise on full Israeli security control over all the territory west of Jordan, which he sees as contrary to a Palestinian state. The Palestinian Authority, on the other hand, has reiterated its desire for the territories of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, with Jerusalem as the capital.
As tensions continue to rise between the U.S. and Israel over the issue of a two-state solution and the current leadership in Israel, the Likud party's strong response to Schumer's comments highlights the deep divisions and challenges facing the region in the pursuit of lasting peace.
