Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found a welcoming reception among Republican senators during a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declined a request for Netanyahu to address the Senate Democratic caucus. This division reflects the polarizing American views on Netanyahu and Israel’s actions in Gaza, which have eroded the once-solid bipartisan support for Israel’s government. Tensions are rising between Netanyahu and top Democratic leaders in the U.S. amidst a violent conflict in the Middle East following Hamas attacks on Israelis.
Schumer, in his weekly press conference, attributed the fractures in U.S. solidarity with Israel to Netanyahu’s partisan approach, suggesting that it has harmed Israel’s interests. He stood by his call for new elections in Israel and criticized Netanyahu for prioritizing his political agenda over the country’s survival. This rift between U.S. Democrats and Netanyahu can be traced back to his confrontational stance during former President Barack Obama’s era, where he aligned with the GOP, fostering a perception that he favored Republican candidates in elections.
Despite the disagreement among U.S. lawmakers, McConnell expressed his support for Israel and rejected Schumer’s stance, emphasizing that the U.S. should not interfere in a democratic ally’s election process or military operations. Meanwhile, Republican senators reiterated their commitment to backing Israel in its efforts to eliminate Hamas. Netanyahu, in response to Schumer’s comments about new elections in Israel, expressed offense and deemed them inappropriate. This political divide underscores the complex dynamics shaping U.S.-Israel relations and the challenges in maintaining bipartisan support for Israel amidst escalating tensions.