U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer has urged Israel to conduct new elections, claiming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost his way” in light of the escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
In a long address on the Senate floor on Thursday morning, Chuck Schumer — the first Jewish majority leader in the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish politician in the country —claimed that Netanyahu’s alliance with far-right radicals made him “too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows”.
The timing of Schumer’s dramatic speech coincides with a growing backlash from Democrats against Israel and increased public pressure from President Joe Biden on Netanyahu’s administration. This month, the United States started delivering desperately needed humanitarian goods by air and declared plans to build a makeshift dock to allow further help to enter Gaza via sea.
Schumer stated that he agreed with President Joe Biden’s proposal for a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, stating that it “would allow for the return of hostages and humanitarian relief of suffering Palestinians.” He also stated that he is opposed to an ongoing cease-fire because he believes it would merely give Hamas more time to “regroup and launch further attacks on Israeli civilians.”
“There can never be a two-state solution if Hamas has any significant power,” he said.
The request for new elections is a clear indication of dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s conduct of the Gaza conflict, highlighting escalating tensions between the US and Israeli administrations. President Biden has repeatedly voiced reservations about Netanyahu’s ability to govern, citing in particular his unwillingness to permit humanitarian supplies into Gaza and his opposition to a two-state solution.
Throughout his remarks, Schumer also emphasized how important it is for the Jewish state to work toward regional peace and stability.
“A new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government,” according to Schumer, who acknowledges that the US “cannot influence” the outcome of an Israeli election.
