This week, we were exposed to a most shameful episode in American politics. Senator Chuck Schumer took to the well of the United States Senate to call for a regime change in our only democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel. As it was reported in Axios: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) speech calling for a new government in Israel landed like an earthquake Thursday, delivering a huge shock to the already tense U.S.-Israel relationship.
Why it matters: In addition to being the most senior Jewish elected official in the country, Schumer has had one of the longest and closest relationships with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of any U.S. politician. Schumer's speech stunned officials and observers in both Washington and Jerusalem because he has been — and still is — the Democratic Party's most avid supporter of Israel in decades. His harsh remarks about Netanyahu create more political space for other Democratic members of Congress to publicly voice their criticism of the Israeli government amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Thanks for reading Marc’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Subscribe
Many who have reported on this speech have dubbed Schumer the living embodiment of the word CHUTZPAH. For those who may not be familiar with the term “chutzpah,” I offer the following: In Hebrew, chutzpah is used indignantly, to describe someone who has overstepped the boundaries of accepted behavior. In traditional usage, the word expresses a strong sense of disapproval.
Schumer could not have been any more self-promoting when he told Americans: … his name is derived from the Hebrew word Shomer, which means guardian, and spoke about how deeply he revered a country “surrounded by vicious enemies.” He added: “We love Israel in our bones. What Israel has meant to my generation, within living memory of the Holocaust, is impossible to measure.” That may be the literal translation of his name, but he is anything but a guardian of Israel.
CNN Politics reported that: Schumer – the highest-ranking Jewish American in the US government – warned that Netanyahu’s ultra-right-wing coalition was preventing the “significant course corrections” needed in the war against Hamas. He also voiced support for a two-state solution to the long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, a position that Netanyahu has rejected. While placing the lion’s share of the blame for the civilian carnage of the war on Gaza’s Hamas rulers, he argued that Israel had an obligation to do far more to protect innocent Palestinian lives.
But the lowest blow came when Schumer said: “The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7. The world has changed, radically, since then, and the Israeli people are being stifled right now by a governing vision that is stuck in the past,” Schumer said. “Five months into this conflict, it is clear that Israelis need to take stock of the situation and ask: Must we change course?” he continued. “At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government.” 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.
No, Senator, it is you who has lost his way!
And there it is – calling for new elections in the only democracy in the Middle East, a friend, an ally and a symbol to Jews around the world. How dare he take a position that is antithetical to the goals of the Government of Israel and its leadership. Netanyahu’s stated goal of completely defeating the terrorist organization of Hamas is by far and away the goal of the people of Israel and should be the goal that Schumer is four-square behind; but he clearly is not.
There will not be a two-state solution. There was a two-state solution on October 6th and Hamas violated the “cease fire” by murdering some 1,200 citizens of all ages and taking hostages as pawns in a negotiation.
Schumer and all other American officials should stop talking about this nonsense and start figuring out how to get the American and for that matter the Israeli hostages returned. Our State Department and its leader Anthony Blinken are “Missing in Action”!
Final thought --- I am an American Jew and I want to be absolutely clear that Chuck Schumer, The King of Chutzpah does not speak for me or for any Jews both American and Israeli that I know. From day one, it has been clear that the Israeli Defense Forces have to grind Hamas into the sands of Gaza with no opportunity to ever be a threat to Israel again.
It is clear that a Two-State solution cannot happen under the conditions that currently exist is the region and American politicians need to keep out of the inner workings of an allied government. We bristle at the thought that a foreign government is interfering in American politics --- Why should it be any different going in the other direction? It is clear that Schumer and the Biden Administration need to take their seats and let Netanyahu get on with what needs to get done.
An outstanding view that hits hard at Schumer. He's a left- wing politician with big ego and the agenda of his party. Schumer is a Jew in name only!! Lacking common sense and smartness. As a Jew I do not understand fellow Jews voting/supporting democrats. 2024 election will decide our fate!! Niles