Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is facing backlash from Israelis in Jerusalem over his comments. In an interview, residents of Israel’s bustling Machane Yehuda food market said the Senator should not interfere with Israel’s internal politics.
Similarly, they claimed President Biden is turning on the Jewish state out of his political interests ahead of the US elections in November. Shoppers expressed disappointment with recent comments made by Schumer criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
They claimed the Senator’s comments were unacceptable and unfounded. Notably, Schumer criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza and suggested it was time for Israelis to hold new elections. However, Netanyahu replied to Schumer, a lifetime supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official.
Speaking at a virtual gathering of Republican senators on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Netanyahu hit back at Schumer. According to reports, he called the Senator’s comments “wholly inappropriate and outrageous.” Israelis shared a similar sentiment when asked about Schumer’s call for a new election.
“I don’t think it’s Schumer’s place to comment on the politics in Israel,” one shopper said. “Or tell us we need to do a re-election.” Another said Schumer “should worry about his re-election and try to stay out of Israeli politics.” “We know how to handle ourselves,” he said.
“We had elections, and we have an elected government,” another shopper stated. He understands democracy. He knows Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East.”
Interviewers also asked shoppers if they felt that Biden had turned on Israel. Before the remarks, the President spoke to Netanyahu by phone. Biden demanded he send a delegation to Washington to discuss Israel’s strategy in its five-month-old war in Gaza.
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“He is turning a little bit on Israel as a strategy,” one Israeli said. “Because Biden wants to win the next US election.” “Unfortunately, that’s the main issue with politicians,” another person interviewed said. They have their concerns and not for the well-being of all the people.”
Similarly, others said they did not trust Biden and called him a liar. Furthermore, they noted that he “is not in the soundest of minds, so whatever he says it’s here today, it could be gone tomorrow.” “President Trump was the only president who understood the true alliance with Israel,” another added.
In Jerusalem, Fox News asked residents who they would vote for if elections were held in Israel. One man said he would vote for Netanyahu. Others hesitated, noting that it would be difficult to cast a vote for Netanyahu after the horrific terror attack carried out by Hamas terrorists on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
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However, they also felt that there were no viable alternative options. “It would be tough for me to vote for Bibi Netanyahu again after what has happened,” one man said, referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname. “I would have to look into alternative but similar options.”
Another person said she wouldn’t vote for Netanyahu “because he was too long as prime minister in Israel; it’s time for a change.” Notably, Netanyahu is the longest-serving leader in Israel’s history, first elected prime minister in 1996.
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