Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on Israel to hold new elections, saying he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost his way” in the Gaza war.
Schumer, the first Jewish majority leader in the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S. – who champions himself as the “Shomer Yisroel” – strongly criticized Netanyahu in a lengthy speech Thursday morning on the Senate floor,. In prepared remarks obtained by The Associated Press, Schumer says the prime minister has put himself in a coalition of far-right extremists 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.”
“Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,” Schumer will say.
So, rather than supporting Israel through one of its most difficult crises in its history, Schumer is instead meddling in its politics, looking not to be a “Shomer Yisroel,” but its proxy leader, and caving to notoriously antisemitic and anti-Israel activists and politicians in the process.
The speech comes as an increasing number of Democrats have pushed back against Israel and as President Joe Biden has stepped up public pressure on Netanyahu’s government, warning that he needs to pay more attention to the civilian death toll in Gaza. The U.S. this month began airdrops of badly needed humanitarian aid and announced it will establish a temporary pier to get more assistance into Gaza via sea.
Schumer has so far positioned himself as a strong ally of the Israeli government, visiting the country just days after the brutal Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and giving a lengthy speech on the Senate floor in December decrying ”brazen and widespread antisemitism the likes of which we haven’t seen in generations in this country, if ever.”
But he will say on the Senate floor Thursday that the ”Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past.”
Schumer says Netanyahu, who has long opposed Palestinian statehood, is one of several obstacles in the way of the two-state solution pushed by the United States. He is also blaming right-wing Israelis, Hamas and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Until they are all removed from the equation, he says, “there will never be peace in Israel and Gaza and the West Bank.”
Schumer says the United States cannot dictate the outcome of an election in Israel, but “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.”
It is unclear how Schumer’s unusually direct call will be received in Israel. The next parliamentary elections are expected in 2026 but could be held before then.
Many Israelis hold Netanyahu responsible for failing to stop the Oct. 7 cross-border raid by Hamas, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and his popularity appears to have taken a hit as a result.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Schumer and other lawmakers met last week in Washington with Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s War Cabinet and a popular rival of Netanyahu — a visit that drew a rebuke from the Israeli prime minister.
Gantz joined Netanyahu’s government in the War Cabinet soon after the Hamas attacks. But Gantz is expected to leave the government once the heaviest fighting subsides, signaling the period of national unity has ended. A return to mass demonstrations could ramp up pressure on Netanyahu’s deeply unpopular coalition to hold early elections.
Schumer said that if Israel tightens its control over Gaza and the West Bank and creates a “de facto single state,” then there should be no reasonable expectation that Hamas and their allies will lay down arms. It could mean constant war, he said.
“As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may,” Schumer said. “But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice.”
(AP/YWN)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
39 Responses
Oh look, another Democrat trying to interfere in elections of a sovereign state a la Vladmir Putin. This time it’s the bloviating hypocrite, Charles “Shomer.” Go home, Charles “Shomer.” You’re bad for the Jews.
A true SHOMER YISHMAEL….
Klippa amalek fighting another klippa. One is treifa and the other nevela.
There’s only one shomer Israel and it’s none of these reshayims ! Ein od milevado
LOL – I think he should worry more about his elections. Such an idiot.
Liberalism is a mental disorder
It doesn’t matter who will be hurt or how far from reality their ideas sound, liberals will always go with their liberal feelings no matter what! Their sick ideas may put their children, family in danger but that has not stopped them from trying it anyways
This lie is soooo blatant, it doesn’t stand for a second..
Kapo. Rosha
He is fully entitled to his opinion, even if it’s not in line with the mainstream so called Jewish media, especially when he has a point!!!!
I think he should be ousted too he appointed bad Generals and got played by Hamas but this is not for Chuck Schumer to say
But very frum Yidden will continue to vote for this piece of trash, for a few bucks… How’s that for some self dignity?
He is “Shomer” his behind. The Democrat party has been hijacked by Hamasniks.
It is NOT the place of any American Government official to dictate or suggest how any other country should elect its leaders or run its affairs. Thanks to the Demonrats in charge of the Senate and led by this miserable excuse for a supporter of Israel, we have enough problems in the USA to worry about. Keep your hands off Israel and let them do what needs to be done. How many times will Israel be pressured into a decision that ends up hurting them and pleasing others. Go Israel. Finish the job this time, no matter what world opinion is. Haters are going to hate no matter what.
How about an election to toss Schumer out of his Senate office. Elise Stefanik can take his place.
Shoita! I’d suggest he pay more attention to his own elections and stop poking his nose in Israeli politics. The Democratic party has been taken over by extreme leftists and Anti-Semites.
FIRST CLASS IDIOT
He is headed to a place lower than any Hamas tunnel has been dug —- ShiOle Tachtis
Chucky,
Your country is in shambles.
The southern border is a “free for all”. The economy is at the lowest point in 20 years.
Crime is at an all time high.
Please do the job your voters have sent you to do or retire and go home.
All Chucky cares about is being reelected. If that means pandering and grovelling to AOC constituents, rather than to Jews, he will do so. This is nothing new. He voted for Obama’s Iran deal, as well. He needs to finally go.
Chuck U Schumer has lost his way, if he ever had one. Wondering if we could truly say YMSH on him. Don’t know about his kids so we’ll leave those out, but him …
Simple, IDIOT!
in the USA we have an installed president and an election full of fraud,
Israel has allowed itself to be a “client” state of its American “patron.” Under that system, the client understands that really important things are done in accordance with the will of the master. The more Israel becomes dependent on the United States, the more that the wishes of the American government determine Israel policy, regardless of what the Israelis want. Few Israelis are willing to pay the high price of being free of foreign domination.
I’m sure Chucky’s satmar friends stand by his comments! With friends like this who needs enemies!
“OUTRAGEOUS: Charles “Shomer Yisroel” Schumer Calls For Elections In Israel To Oust Netanyahu”
The outrage should be the Zionism inherent in this piece. He calls himself a “Shomer Yisrael” which means that he watches over Jews. That’s his claim, regardless of how true or otherwise it is. Regarding the Zionist State and its latest war, he never told them to stop fighting the savages; he simply expressed his feeling that they should hold new elections, not idol-forbid to disband or anything like that.
You (YWN) might feel that it’s better for Jews if the current “government” remains as is. He is certainly entitled to disagree, and it is not at all “OUTRAGEOUS” if he does so; Zionism is, however.
The comments of this mechalel shem shamayim causes more antisemitism and ultimately more Jews to be attacked. Rodef.
Schumer is a certified card carrying member of the erev rav. His daughters married goyim. Wicked thru and thru. Vilamalshinim al tehi sickva!
A very clever political move on the day Biden is campaigning in Michigan, all he needed that Mike Johnson alleges the white house backs Iran.
Well done Mr. Schumer
Don’t just comment on here, everyone should email Schumer and call him to express our outrage over his statements. you can do it via his Senate website.
I just sent him this
Subject: Shomer HAMAS
Dear Senator,
I am still stunned from your speech this morning as I try to write to you.
To stand up publicly in the most powerful legislative body in the world and blast the Jewish people in such a strong way?? Mind boggling.
How do you make an even comparison between: Hamas Terrorists and “Right wing” Jews? and Between Bibi and Abbas??
When was the last time “Right wing” Jews drove around Arab villages, Raping, Beheading, Burning people alive, taking Hostages??
To split the blame evenly on the Jews as much as on Hamas is appalling to say the least, and outright reckless!
Israel (and the Jews at large) are at war, we need all the support we can get. Not to get stabbed in the back by one who claims to be “one of your own”
I can’t believe we used to be proud of you. Oy vey how the great have fallen.
As an additional note: you know very well that multiple Israeli governments have offered the PA tremendous concessions to get to a so called “2 State solution” and the PA turned them down every time. Even Bibi himself has offered them concessions and they turned it down. So I don’t even begin to understand what you are talking about.
Note 2: Gaza shares a border with Egypt, ever wondered why the very concerned Muslim brothers don’t allow any Gaza refugees, (women children) to cross over the border to Egypt?
Only rational I can have for your disturbing speech, is that you switched sides and became a Shomer HAMAS
Signed with a sad heart,
Has Schumer asked for Sinwar to be removed? The head of Iran after attacking us over 100 times in the last quarter of 2023? The Houthi’s after ruining global trade?
What about the politician in Jersey who takes bribes from Egypt?
Chuck has an interesting redline and focus. Almost Omar/Talib worthy.
In essence: chuck is willing to gamble with Israeli security in order to bolster the Michigan democrat Muslim vote!
And there you you have it !
to all you ranting about Schumer and suddenly his level of Torah matters, while he supports the secular state nobody has any problem with his children marrying out!!!!
what is so bad that he said, Bibi and his supporters should go together with Abbas and Hamas and its supporters, so obviously if there no one left, who you gonee fight with !!
As an aside.. The Judenrat always advised cooperating as it was in the best interest of the community
Absent from the first thirty comments is one democrat supporter
Enough hide and seek guys
Defend your shomer!
Schumer is a political hack, always has been. He has hoodwinked NY Jews for years. Schumer is a party man, following the Democratic Party orders without question. And when NY Jews needed him, when Jews were getting beat up in the streets, when Jews are persecuted on college campuses, he’s nowhere to be found. Vote for Schumer and you’ll get what you deserve.
Have not heard a word from him since Oct 7 . This is what he has been cooking up .
How is it possible to talk about these matters while you are in america.. i don’t get it. You have NO say, zero, nada.. if you are not in Eretz Yisroel. You don’t have a right to speak or have an opinion about these matters. Nor do you have the faintest clue what is happening here.. It is none of your business. hello?? is there any intelligent life left in the universe??
So many nudniks. So little time.
I’m always hearing from the president and other Democrats that the Republicans are a threat to democracy.
It is clear through this call for leadership change in Israel by Democrats that the Democrats are the true threat to democracy, in addition to their untiring efforts to remove the Republican candidate from being able to run.
leah2330:
The Zionist State exists at the pleasure of the nations, especially the United States. That’s why. The Zionist State never was “independent” and never will be (not that it will likely last all that much longer anyways).
Also, “Eretz Yisrael” is not relevant to this. South Lebanon is E”Y while “Eilat” is not.
There you go, Jewish Obiden Democrats! This November, vote as if you have a brain. Schmendriks!