Schumer slams Netanyahu, calls for new leader

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for new elections in Israel

(Image credit: Tierney L. Cross / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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.).

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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.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.