President Joe Biden expressed support Friday for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the senator called for new elections in Israel, the latest sign that the U.S. relationship with its closest Middle East ally is careening toward fracture over the war in Gaza.
Quick Read
- President Joe Biden expressed support for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after Schumer called for new elections in Israel, highlighting growing concerns over the U.S.-Israel relationship amid the Gaza conflict.
- Schumer, a Jewish Democrat, criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for losing his way and warned of Israel becoming a pariah due to rising Palestinian casualties.
- Biden agreed with Schumer’s concerns, marking a shift in his stance on the war that began with a Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
- Netanyahu’s political party, Likud, criticized Schumer for undermining Israel’s elected government, especially during wartime.
- The U.S.-Israeli relationship faces further strain over Israel’s plans to pursue Hamas in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where displaced Palestinians have sought refuge.
- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for a plan to safeguard civilians and highlighted that frank discussions are a sign of a strong relationship, not a fracture.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden backs Schumer after senator calls for new elections in Israel
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden expressed support Friday for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the senator called for new elections in Israel, the latest sign that the U.S. relationship with its closest Middle East ally is careening toward fracture over the war in Gaza.
Schumer, a Jewish Democrat from New York, sent tremors through both countries this week when he said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost his way” and warned that “Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah” as Palestinian casualties continue to grow.
“He made a good speech,” Biden said in the Oval Office during a meeting with Ireland’s prime minister. “I think he expressed serious concerns shared not only by him but by many Americans.”
The Democratic president’s backing for Schumer could further frustrate Netanyahu, whose political party has already sharply criticized the U.S. senator.
“One would expect Sen. Schumer to respect Israel’s elected government and not undermine it,” Netanyahu’s political party Likud said in a statement. “This is always true, and even more so in wartime.”
Biden’s comments reflect the evolution of his views on the war, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 Israelis. Since then, Israel’s counterattack has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
After his State of the Union speech earlier this month, Biden said that he needed to have a “come to Jesus” conversation with Netanyahu. He also accused Netanyahu of “hurting Israel more than helping Israel” with his leadership of the war.
The latest challenge to the U.S.-Israeli relationship is Israel’s plan to pursue Hamas into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza where displaced Palestinians have gathered to avoid fighting in the north.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking from Vienna, said “we have to see a clear and implementable plan” to safeguard civilians from an Israeli incursion.
“We have not seen such a plan,” he said.
But Blinken said tough conversations between allies do not mean the alliance is fracturing.
“That’s actually the strength of the relationship, to be able to speak clearly, candidly and directly,” he said.
