President Joe Biden hinted at a possible falling out with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he backed Sen. Chuck Schumer’s call for new elections in Israel on Friday.
Senate Majority Leader Schumer, who was the highest-ranking Jewish-elected official in the US, urged Israel to elect new government officials.
“I believe in his heart that his highest priority is the security of Israel. However, I also believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel,” Mr. Schumer said.
The Brooklyn Democrat claimed that Netanyahu and security cabinet members must be removed from office as they have lost the support of Israelis, alleging that “the only way” to secure the Jewish state’s future is through a new election.
“Of course, the United States cannot dictate the outcome of an election, nor should we try.”
“That is for the Israeli public to decide. A public that I believe understands better than anybody that Israel cannot hope to succeed as a pariah, opposed by the rest of the world,” Schumer added.
“As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it’s become clear to me that the Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7,” Schumer concluded.
Biden supported Schumer’s speech, saying that the senator informed him through his staff.
“Senator Schumer contacted my staff, my senior staffer, [to say] that he was going to make that speech. And I’m not going to elaborate on the speech,” Biden remarked.
“He made a good speech, and I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him but by many Americans,” he added.
Biden made these remarks as he hosted Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House.
Schumer’s speech, however, was not received well in Israel; even Netanyahu’s rival Benny Gantz blasted Schumer and said, “He made a mistake in his statement. Israel is a strong democracy, and only its citizens will determine its leadership and future. Any external intervention in the matter is incorrect and unacceptable.”
Israel’s ruling Likud party responded to the Senate majority leader and defended Netanyahu’s public support.
“Contrary to Schumer’s words, the Israeli public supports a total victory over Hamas, rejects any international dictates to establish a Palestinian terrorist state, and opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza,” it said in a statement.
Earlier this month, during his State of the Union, Biden was caught on a hot mic saying that he needed to have a “come to Jesus” discussion with the Israeli Prime Minister.
He also criticized Netanyahu in his interview with MSNBC, accusing the prime minister of “hurting Israel more than helping” it.
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Author: The Raging Patriot
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