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Chuck Schumer criticizes Benjamin Netanyahu. This one counters. The Gaza war is increasingly becoming a domestic and foreign policy problem for the US government.
The influential Democratic majority leader in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, sharply criticized Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week. He even called for new elections. Netanyahu sharply rejected Schumer’s criticism of him and his government.
“I think what he said is completely inappropriate,” Netanyahu said in an interview broadcast on US broadcaster CNN on Sunday. It is inappropriate to tell another democracy to replace the elected leadership there.
Differences in the American-Israeli relationship
At the beginning of Hamas’ attack on Israel, the United States clearly sided with Israel. But rifts are also opening up, and the USA is increasingly criticizing Israel’s conduct of the war. In the long term, the USA is calling for a two-state solution, i.e. the creation of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu has no ear for this.
The fact that Chuck Schumer, a Jew and majority leader of the Democrats in the Senate, is criticizing Netanyahu shows the extent of the problem for the American government, says Sebastian Ramspeck. He is an international correspondent for SRF. The Gaza war is increasingly becoming a domestic and foreign policy problem for the USA.
Legend:
The Jewish Chuck Schumer has long been considered a particularly staunch supporter of Israel in the Democratic Party and the Senate. The reaction from Israel is all the sharper.
Keystone/EPA/Shawn Thew
Netanyahu’s clear reaction is also not surprising. “No head of government likes to accept such fundamental criticism of himself. And certainly not Netanyahu from Chuck Schumer,” says Sebastian Ramspeck.
This sharp mutual criticism is extraordinary: “It is unusual for a politician in this position in a democracy to criticize the head of government of another democracy in this fundamental way – and that of a closely friendly state. The USA is supplementing the policy in favor of Israel with rhetoric critical of Israel.” This is a clear indication: “The nerves are on edge.”
Democrats have to compete for votes
According to the correspondent, this unusual exchange of blows is also about political calculation. In less than eight months, the USA will elect a new president and most of the parliament will also be re-elected. “For Joe Biden, every vote is important, including those of Netanyahu-critical, pro-Palestinian, Muslim, left-wing and progressive voters,” says Ramspeck.
In the last election, a majority of these votes went to the Democratic Party. But more and more voices in the USA are criticizing the war and the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza. “If these people have the impression that the USA is not doing enough for the Palestinians, many of them would not be able to vote in November,” said Ramspeck, “So I assume that someone like Chuck Schumer with his statements will also is running an election campaign.”
Legend:
The United States and Israel have been long and close allies. But trenches are opening up. The majority supports his government’s policies, Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) rejected Schumer’s criticism.
Reuters/EPA/Michael Reynolds (03/03/2015)
Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to take advantage of the words from the USA. As a politician, he is unpopular with many, said Ramspeck. But now there is war. And after the horrific Hamas attack last October, most Israelis support Netanyahu’s policies. “The criticism also gives him the opportunity to present himself to some as a hardliner in the service of his country and thereby score points.”