Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, calling for his ouster and the formation of a new government.
“The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel,” said Schumer in an address on the Senate floor. “The Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past.”
Schumer argued that the influence of “right-wing zealots” under Netanyahu’s leadership does not represent the majority of Israeli public opinion and has led to a diminishing global support for Israel. He emphasized the necessity of new elections to refresh Israel’s governing vision, away from what he perceives as outdated policies and towards a more peace-oriented approach.
The Majority Leader warned that failing to make a leadership change would lead to serious repercussions from Israel’s closest ally.
“If Prime Minister Netanyahu’s current coalition remains in power after the war begins to wind down, and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing US standards for assistance, then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course,” he said.
Schumer also emphasized the urgency of moving towards a negotiated two-state solution, believing it to be the “only real and sustainable solution” to peace.
