Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls for new elections in Israel

(NewsNation) — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for new elections in Israel when the war “starts to wind down” in a speech Thursday on the Senate floor urging for a two-state solution.

During his speech, the New York Democrat reiterated his strong support for Israel but also heavily criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his repeated rejections of a two-state solution, saying at one point Israel’s leader has “lost his way.”

“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,” Schumer said, noting the United States should not try to dictate the outcome of another country’s elections.

That decision, Schumer added, is up to the Israeli public, “a public that I believe understands better than anybody that Israel cannot hope to succeed as a pariah opposed by the rest of the world.”

Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in U.S. politics, also called out other Israeli officials for what he said was “extremist” rhetoric. He cited Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and its National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as examples for this. Smotrich, Schumer said, has openly called for the forced displacement of all Palestinians in the West Bank, and Ben-Gvir facilitated the “mass distributions of guns” to far-right settlers.

“We cannot let anger or trauma determine our actions or cloud our judgment,” Schumer said. “A two-state solution may feel daunting, especially now. But I believe it is the only realistic and sustainable solution on the basis of security, on the basis of prosperity, on the basis of fundamental human rights and dignity.”

Specifically, Schumer said there are four major obstacles to achieving peace between Palestinians and Israelis: Hamas; radical right-wing Israelis in government and society; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas; and Netanyahu.

Schumer’s speech comes as Israel is coming under scrutiny and criticism over its bombardment of Gaza. More than 31,270 people in Gaza, including many children, have been killed in Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion that killed over 1,200 people and resulted in around 250 being taken hostage. Some captives have since been freed.

After nearly five months, much of Gaza is now in ruins, and many of its 2.3 million residents displaced. Officials have said Israel’s siege and offensive are pushing Palestinians into famine, the Associated Press reported, with a quarter of Gaza’s population reportedly starving. Violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has surged as well.

This has spurred calls for a permanent cease-fire from activists and politicians alike. In January, the United Nation’s top court demanded Israel try to contain death and damage and told officials to  “take all measures” to prevent a genocide of the Palestinians. South Africa had initially brought the genocide case against Israel.

“So many Gazans are displaced from their homes and struggling to meet their most basic needs. Many are still burying and mourning their dead. Entire families have been wiped out,” Schumer said. “In Israel, everyone knows someone who was killed on Oct. 7. So many Israelis feel that people around the world have no respect for the grief and rage unleashed by Hamas’s vicious attack.”

Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said in his own remarks after Schumer’s that Israel is not a colony of the United States.

“Only Israel’s citizens should have a say in who runs their government. This is the very definition of democracy and sovereignty,” he said.

Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, meanwhile, praised Schumer.

“This is a gutsy, historic speech from Leader Schumer,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter. “I know he didn’t arrive at this conclusion casually or painlessly.”

While conservative politicians slammed Schumer for what he said on Netanyahu, polls show that he is unpopular with many Israelis. Only 15% want Netanyahu to stay on after the war ends, according to a poll reported on by Reuters in January.

At a press briefing last month, Netanyahu was asked about those within his own party who, like Schumer, said there should be an early election after the war ends.

“The last thing we need right now are elections and dealing with elections, since it will immediately divide us,” he said, per Al-Jazeera. “We need unity right now.”

Still, a poll done by the Israel Democracy Institute showed more than two-thirds of those in Israel think the elections should come sooner than 2026, when they are scheduled.

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby declined to comment when asked Thursday about Schumer’s speech.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story is developing. Refresh for updates.