In a bold move, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for new elections in Israel to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This marks the most significant criticism by a U.S. leader against the Israeli government since the conflict with Hamas began.
Schumer has criticized Netanyahu for allowing political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel, as well as aligning with far-right extremists. He has called for Israel to make course corrections in its strategy against Hamas and to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The Senate Majority Leader has also expressed support for a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to allow for the return of hostages and humanitarian relief for Palestinians. However, his comments have faced backlash from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Republican leaders, who have deemed them divisive and inappropriate.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is facing pressure to facilitate a cease-fire and increase aid to Palestinians living in Gaza. Families of American hostages in Gaza have expressed concerns about Netanyahu not prioritizing their release, adding to the growing criticism of the current Israeli leadership.
The administration has also taken steps to address the situation, sanctioning extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank and issuing an executive order targeting Jewish settlers who engage in violence against Palestinians. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has stated that the White House is focused on ensuring Israel has what it needs to defend itself while working towards a temporary cease-fire and providing aid to Gaza.
As tensions continue to escalate, Biden has faced anger from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party for not putting enough pressure on Netanyahu. The situation remains fluid as calls for new elections in Israel and efforts to secure a cease-fire and provide aid to Gaza intensify. Stay tuned to ‘mazmessenger’ for the latest updates on this developing story.
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