Schumer slams Netanyahu, calls for new leader
The senator — one of Israel's most avid supporters — criticized the country's handling of the Gaza war
What happened
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), America's top Jewish elected official, sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the Gaza war, and called for new elections in Israel.
Who said what
"Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel," Schumer said Thursday. His willingness to "tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza" is "pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah." The ruling Likud Party said in a statement, "Israel is not a banana republic but an independent and proud democracy" that elected Netanyahu.
The commentary
Schumer's speech "landed like an earthquake" in Jerusalem because he is one of Israel's "most avid" supporters, with "one of the longest and closest relationships" with Netanyahu of any U.S. politician, Barak Ravid said at Axios. It is "grotesque and hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about foreign interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of a democratically elected leader of Israel," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said. Netanyahu has certainly not been "shy about trying to interfere in American politics," said Sen Mark Warner (D-Va.).
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
It is "unclear how Schumer's declaration will affect politics in Israel, where Netanyahu is very unpopular" but "polls show a majority of the public also supports many of his positions" that Washington dislikes, The Washington Post said. The next election in Israel is not scheduled until October 2026.
-
Political cartoons for February 16Cartoons Monday’s political cartoons include President's Day, a valentine from the Epstein files, and more
-
Regent Hong Kong: a tranquil haven with a prime waterfront spotThe Week Recommends The trendy hotel recently underwent an extensive two-year revamp
-
The problem with diagnosing profound autismThe Explainer Experts are reconsidering the idea of autism as a spectrum, which could impact diagnoses and policy making for the condition
-
Judge blocks Hegseth from punishing Kelly over videoSpeed Read Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed for the senator to be demoted over a video in which he reminds military officials they should refuse illegal orders
-
Trump’s EPA kills legal basis for federal climate policySpeed Read The government’s authority to regulate several planet-warming pollutants has been repealed
-
House votes to end Trump’s Canada tariffsSpeed Read Six Republicans joined with Democrats to repeal the president’s tariffs
-
Bondi, Democrats clash over Epstein in hearingSpeed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi ignored survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and demanded that Democrats apologize to Trump
-
El Paso airspace closure tied to FAA-Pentagon standoffSpeed Read The closure in the Texas border city stemmed from disagreements between the Federal Aviation Administration and Pentagon officials over drone-related tests
-
Judge blocks Trump suit for Michigan voter rollsSpeed Read A Trump-appointed federal judge rejected the administration’s demand for voters’ personal data
-
US to send 200 troops to Nigeria to train armySpeed Read Trump has accused the West African government of failing to protect Christians from terrorist attacks
-
Grand jury rejects charging 6 Democrats for ‘orders’ videoSpeed Read The jury refused to indict Democratic lawmakers for a video in which they urged military members to resist illegal orders
