Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling for Israeli elections after saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has lost his way."
He made the statement during a speech on the Senate floor on Thursday.
"Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take the precedence over the best interests of Israel," Schumer said.
Schumer says Netanyahu's recent rejection of a two-state solution is a major problem that should lead to him being replaced..
"This is a grave mistake for Israelis, Palestinians, the region and the world, Schumer said."
He said there are four major obstacles to peace between the Israelis and Palestinians: Hamas and Palestinians who support them, radical right-wing Israelis in government, the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, and Netanyahu.
Schumer's call for a new election comes amid growing frustration in the Biden administration with Netanyahu over the civilian death toll in Gaza.
"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," he said.
Today, I’m giving a major address from the Senate floor on a pathway to peace and achieving a two-state solution.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 14, 2024
Watch live: https://t.co/cuUUWbM1xF
President Biden said Saturday that he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing his own country more harm than good in his handling of the war on Hamas, stressing the need for Israel to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.
Last week, Netanyahu said that Israel will not give in to international pressure to stall an attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah and will continue its bloody offensive against Hamas.
"We have our agreements on the basic goals but our disagreement on how to achieve them," Netanyahu said Monday on Fox News.
But he said the decisions on when to stop the battle are up to Israel.
"Our necks are on the line," he said. "I'm telling you that we're not getting off the gas."
