Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) joined the number of critics Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has received after suggesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost his way.”
Schumer made his remarks against Israel‘s prime minister on Thursday, suggesting that Israel hold new elections. In a televised appearance on Sunday, Barrasso stated that Schumer should not be telling Israeli residents “who they get to vote for.”
“Schumer called Netanyahu an obstacle to peace,” Barrasso said on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. “The obstacle to peace is Hamas, the Hamas terrorists, the Hamas murderers, the Hamas rapists. Israel and the United States have been closest of allies for decades. Israel has every right to defend itself, and Republicans and Democrats alike have been saying that in the Senate.”
Barrasso also speculated that Schumer, along with President Joe Biden, have “changed their mind about things” regarding their support of Netanyahu. The Wyoming senator stated he believes the two have shifted their support in order to appeal to “the radicals in their party,” who do not support Israel, as Biden is seeking another term in the White House in this year’s presidential election.
The statement by Schumer regarding Israel hosting new elections was widely criticized by both House Republicans and Israeli officials, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) calling it “highly inappropriate.” Netanyahu himself denounced the New York senator’s suggestion, saying it was not right for another democracy to “try to replace the elected leadership there.”
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Earlier this month, Biden gave his annual State of the Union address to discuss the various topics facing the United States, during which he asked Israel to provide more aid to civilians in Gaza.
“Israel has an added burden because Hamas hides and operates among the civilian population like cowards, under hospitals, daycare centers, and the like,” Biden said. “But Israel also has a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza.”
