President Biden praised Senator Chuck Schumer’s recent speech criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, calling it a “good speech” that raised concerns shared by many Americans. While Biden did not explicitly endorse any specific criticisms or Schumer’s call for elections to replace Netanyahu, his comments mark an escalation in his public critique of the Israeli prime minister.
Despite private clashes between Biden and Netanyahu in recent phone calls, the president had been hesitant to publicly break with the Israeli leader. However, Biden’s growing frustration with Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict in Gaza has led him to speak out more openly.
Schumer, who informed the White House staff before delivering his speech, emphasized the importance of being able to disagree with Netanyahu while still supporting Israel. The speech, which criticized Netanyahu’s leadership and called for new elections, sparked controversy in Israel and among critics who viewed it as foreign intervention in Israeli politics.
While Biden has reaffirmed support for Israel’s right to defend itself, he has also expressed concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza and the need for humanitarian aid. The president hinted at the possibility of imposing restrictions on arms provided to Israel if his cautions were ignored.
Overall, Biden’s comments and Schumer’s speech reflect a growing rift between the U.S. and Israeli leaders over the handling of the conflict in Gaza. As tensions continue to rise, the future of U.S.-Israel relations remains uncertain.
