Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, poses for a picture with Sen. Chuck Schumer on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 15, 2017. Schumer criticized Netanyahu on Thursday and called on Israel to hold new elections. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
"He has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah," Schumer added.
The speech came a day after the No. 3 Senate Republican, John Barrasso, of Wyoming, invited Netanyahu to speak at a GOP retreat in Washington. Herzog spoke in Netayahu's place due to a "scheduling conflict," the New York Times reported.
Along with Netanyahu, Schumer listed "Hamas, and the Palestinians who support and tolerate their evil ways, radical, right-wing Israelis in government and society, [and] Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas" as the other obstacles. The Senate majority leader said that Israeli elections are "the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel." He added that he believed a majority of Israelis also recognize a need for change in their government.
Michael Herzog, Israeli ambassador to the U.S., speaks during an event to call attention to sexual and gender-based violence by Hamas on Feb. 14, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
As recently as January, Netanyahu rejected the prospect of two states, claiming, "I will not compromise on full Israeli security control over all the territory west of Jordan – and this is contrary to a Palestinian state." The Palestinian Authority has also reiterated its desire for the territories of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with Jerusalem as the capital.
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After Schumer’s speech, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R–Ky., took to the floor and addressed the remarks of his Democratic colleague, but did not call him out by name.
"The Jewish state of Israel deserves an ally that acts like one," he said, condemning the call for new Israeli elections as "unprecedented."
"Israel's unity government and security cabinet deserve the deference befitting a sovereign democratic country."
Fox News' Julia Johnson contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
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