Prime Minister Netanyahu responds to Senator Schumer’s criticism
The Israeli prime minister responded to criticism from the top-ranking Senate Democrat, Chuck Schumer, and did not commit to calling new elections after the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed earlier criticism from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on March 17.
Speaking on the Senate floor on March 14, Mr. Schumer stated that Mr. Netanyahu was one of the “major obstacles” to peace in the region.
Responding to Mr. Schumer’s comments, Mr. Netanyahu emphasized the security of Israel as his top priority but also noted concerns about allowing political survival to overshadow Israel’s best interests.
Mr. Schumer suggested that holding new elections after the war would provide Israelis with an opportunity to shape the post-war future, citing that Mr. Netanyahu’s political coalition was no longer aligned with Israel’s needs.
Republicans and Mr. Netanyahu condemned Senator Schumer’s call for new elections during a CNN appearance on March 17.
Mr. Netanyahu highlighted the importance of focusing on combating terrorism and reiterated that the majority of Israelis supported his government’s war efforts.
He expressed that the decision to hold new elections should be left to the Israeli public and dismissed the idea as premature.
Mr. Netanyahu underscored the mandate of defeating Hamas in Gaza and emphasized that Israeli policies were aligned with the majority of the country’s citizens.
He warned against failing to take decisive action against Hamas and compared the situation to pivotal moments in world history to stress the gravity of the conflict.
Regarding the issue of post-war elections, Mr. Netanyahu declined to commit to holding new elections until the war was decisively won, emphasizing the importance of national unity during the conflict.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supported Senator Schumer’s comments, stating that Mr. Netanyahu’s response reinforced the need for change in Israeli leadership. She criticized his reluctance to commit to new elections at the war’s conclusion.
Mr. Schumer’s remarks reflected wider discussions within the U.S. Democratic Party about the conflict in Gaza and support for a ceasefire, which has led to divisions within the party and raised questions about U.S. military aid to Israel.
