Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) walked back his anti-Netanyahu rhetoric on Friday following strong backlash from peers and Israeli leadership.
“The U.S. cannot dictate the outcome of an election. That is for the Israeli public to decide. As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders. But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice. There needs to be a fresh debate about the future,” Schumer wrote on X.
Schumer, who is the first Jewish majority leader in the Senate, came under fire on Thursday. In a 40-minute speech, he criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza war, saying he believes Netanyahu has ‘lost his way.’ Schumer called on Israel to hold new elections, presenting it as the ‘only way’ to advance its goals.
Even Netanyahu’s political rival Benny Gantz joined the chorus of criticism, saying Israel chooses its own leaders democratically.
“Israel is not a banana republic but an independent and proud democracy that elected Prime Minister Netanyahu. Prime Minister Netanyahu leads a determined policy that is supported by a huge majority of the people.”
“Contrary to Schumer’s remarks, the Israeli public supports a complete victory over Hamas, rejects any international dictate to establish a Palestinian terrorist state, and opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza. We expect Senator Schumer to respect the elected government of Israel and not undermine it.
“This is always true, even more so in times of war,” he added.
Gantz joined Netanyahu’s government in the War Cabinet shortly after the Oct 7 attacks as a sign of unity and support. He is expected to leave the government once the war ends.
