Staff Reports
In a recent report from the Washington Examiner, it was revealed that National Security Council spokesman John Kirby evaded questions regarding President Joe Biden’s stance on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s controversial call for new elections in Israel. Schumer, who is the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States, publicly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza and insinuated that the war in Gaza was being utilized for political gain.
Schumer’s bold statements, including his call for new elections, were met with severe backlash from Israeli leaders and Republicans in the United States. In fact, many have condemned Schumer’s intervention in Israeli domestic affairs, labeling it as an inappropriate overreach. While some Democrats have voiced their support for Schumer, others have chosen not to echo his call for new elections.
Biden thinks new elections are ‘up to the Israeli people’ to decide on: John Kirbyhttps://t.co/PkvIeKObRa
— Suzi (@Sandy5Suzi) March 18, 2024
President Biden, when asked about Schumer’s recent remarks, offered little insight into his thoughts, simply acknowledging it as a “good speech.” Furthermore, when questioned about Netanyahu on ABC’s This Week, Kirby carefully navigated around the issue, emphasizing the longstanding relationship between the two leaders and emphasizing the respect for Israeli sovereignty.
The report also highlighted the internal divisions within the Democratic Party, with hard-left Democrats openly opposing Israel’s response to the attack and a growing number calling for restraint. The Democratic Party’s support for the war has dwindled in the wake of the high death toll of Palestinians and Netanyahu’s reluctance to accede to U.S. pressure to allow more aid into Gaza.
The looming Rafah invasion, which Netanyahu affirmed he would pursue regardless of Biden’s condemnation, has further fueled frustration within the Democratic Party. Biden’s administration has expressed concerns about civilian casualties and the need for a temporary ceasefire to secure the safe release of hostages.
The ongoing rift within the Democratic Party over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict underscores the complexity of international relations and the challenges of navigating foreign policy in a deeply divided political landscape.
