SAN FRANCISCO
Lee Heidhues March 14, 2024
Senator Chuck Schumer who, by the way, is the highest ranking elected Jewish official in the United States, just unleashed the furies.
Calling for Israel to have a new election and oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office.
The already stormy debate about Israel’s continuing assault on the citizens of Gaza, in response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack is going to reach cyclone level proportions.
STOP THE INVASION!
Excerpted from Haaretz 3.14.2024
WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s watershed speech calling for new Israeli elections and the end of Benjamin Netanyahu’s time as prime minister provoked sharp partisan reaction, demonstrating how the Israeli premier’s standing in Washington is becoming politicized like never before.
Israel opposition leader Yair Lapid commented, saying that “Chuck Schumer’s speech is proof that one by one, Netanyahu is losing Israel’s biggest supporters in the U.S. Even worse – he’s doing it on purpose.”
The Likud party released an statement regarding the speech, that reads: “Israel is not a banana republic, but an independent, proud democracy that elected Prime Minister Netanyahu.”
Jewish Democrats welcomed the speech, putting Schumer’s remarks amid the backdrop of his standing as among the most important pro-Israel advocates in the history of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Sen. Brian Schatz, a Jewish Democrat critical of Netanyahu’s coalition, praised the speech as “a gutsy, historic speech from Leader Schumer. I know he didn’t arrive at this conclusion casually or painlessly.”
The Jewish Democratic Council of America similarly commended the speech, saying Schumer’s “vision for Israelis and Palestinians is one focused on peace, security and progress. These values are shared by the majority of Jewish Americans as we consider an end to this conflict, which has taken far too many innocent lives.”
Sen. Patty Murray, a key Democrat who represents the party’s center, backed Schumer’s comments. “Netanyahu and his far-right coalition have made clear they oppose a two-state solution, which is the path to lasting peace. Israelis should have the opportunity to choose new leadership through an election,” she said.
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