WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden praised it on Friday Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y.a day ago, he called for new elections in Israel, saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost his way”.
“He gave a good speech, and I think he expressed a serious concern, not just his, but a lot of Americans,” Biden told reporters in the Oval Office when asked what he thought of Schumer’s remarks.
Biden, who said he contacted his staff before Schumer’s speech Thursday, said he would not elaborate on the comments.
The speech by Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States to date, was the most serious criticism of Israel by a US leader since the October 7 war with Hamas.
“After five months of this conflict, it’s clear that Israelis need to take stock of the situation and ask, should we change course?” Schumer said. “At this critical juncture, I believe that new elections are the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process on Israel’s future.”
Schumer said Netanyahu had “allowed his political survival to take precedence over Israel’s best interests” and said the prime minister’s recent indications that he was not interested in establishing an independent Palestinian state were inconsistent with US policy.
Biden has faced calls from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party to put more pressure on the Israeli government to stop the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and to do more to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to the strip. The president recently authorized US airlifts to Gaza, as well as the creation of a temporary bridge that could facilitate the movement of more aid.
While some Democrats praised Schumer’s speech Thursday, it also drew opposition from other members of his party, as well as criticism from Republican lawmakers.
“While I disagree with the Israeli government, I respect the right of Israelis to decide when elections are held and who they choose as their leader,” he said. “When the time comes, Israelis of all faiths and origins will come together to elect leaders who will strengthen democracy and build on the unbreakable bonds between our two peoples, just as we Americans will do in November.”
former Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., now president of the American Jewish Committee, wrote in an op-ed. statement While the organization appreciates Schumer’s defense of Israel, “we do not believe it is appropriate for US officials to try to dictate the electoral future of any ally.”
Several Israeli officials also rejected Sumer’s call for new elections.
For example, Netanyahu’s opponent, Benny Gantz, Posted in XSchumer “is a friend of Israel, and although he has erred in his words, he plays an important role in helping the State of Israel, including in these difficult times.”
“Israel is a strong democracy and its future and leadership will be decided only by its citizens. Any outside interference in the matter is counterproductive and unacceptable,” he wrote.