good evening. one of the most prominent figures in american politics, the majority leader in the senate, has called for new elections in israel. chuck schumer says prime minister benjamin netanyahu has lost his way and accused him of pushing support for israel to new lows . mr schumer, a democrat, and the highest ranking jewish official in america, also called for the palestinian authority president, mahmoud abbas, to step down, saying a new generation of leaders was needed, to work towards peace . all this comes as the us imposed sanctions on three extremist israeli settlers in the occupied west bank, who ve been accused of harassing and attacking palestinians. the settler movement is controversial with many countries, including the uk, which sees israel as an occupying power, and the settlements as illegal. israel disputes this. west bank violence has surged since the start of the gaza war, triggered by hamas s attack on israel on october seventh. the us and uk have alr
course corrections . i have known prime minister netanyahu for a very long time and while we have vehemently disagreed on many occasions, i will always respect his extraordinary bravery for israel on the battlefield as a younger man. i believe in his heart he has his highest priority as is the security of israel. however, i also believe prime minister netanyahu has lost his way. senior israeli figures, including the ambassador to the us, michael herzog, and mr netanyahu s chief political rival, benny gantz, criticised mr schumer s intervention, calling it unhelpful, counterproductive, and unacceptable. mr schumer s comments come as the biden administration continues to pressure mr netanyahu not to launch a ground offensive on gaza s southernmost city, rafah something the white house says is a red line. but talking to troops on thursday, mr netanyahu sounded undaunted. translation: there are international pressures l preventing us from entering rafah and completing the wo
course corrections . i have known benjamin netanyahu for a very long time and while we have disagreed on many occasions, i will always respect his extraordinary bravery for israel on the battlefield as a younger man and i believe in his heart he has his highest priority as the security of israel. however, i also believe prime minister netanyahu has lost his way. senior israeli figures, including the ambassador to the us, michael herzog, and mr netanyahu s chief political rival, benny gantz, criticised mr schumer s intervention, calling it unhelpful, counterproductive and unacceptable. mr schumer s comments come as the biden administration continues to pressure mr netanyahu not to launch a ground offensive on gaza s southernmost city, rafah, something the white house says is a red line , but talking to troops on thursday, mr netanyahu sounded undaunted. translation: there are international pressures l preventing us from entering rafah and completing the work. as minister
and suggested mr netanyahu risked making his country a pariah. republicans have already hit back at his words. schumer is one of america s highest ranking jewish politicians and a close ally of president biden. here s some of what he had to say in the senate. the fourth major obstacle to peace is israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu, who has all too frequently bowed to the demands of extremists like ministers smotrich and ben gvir and the settlers in the west bank. the state department has responded to chuck schumer s comments, stressing they are not a reflection of president biden s position. obviously, congress is an independent branch of government. i think the government of israel understands quite well how the us government works. they interact frequently, notjust with members of the executive branch, but with members of congress, including senator schumer, who has travelled to israel a number of times over the years. and i m sure they fully understand that he
republicans have already hit back at his words. schumer is one of america s highest ranking jewish politicians and a close ally of president biden. here s some of what he had to say in the senate. the fourth major obstacle to peace is israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu, who has all too frequently bowed to the demands of extremists like ministers smotrich and ben gvir and the settlers in the west bank. the state department has responded to chuck schumer s comments, stressing they are not a reflection of president biden s position. obviously, congress is an independent branch of government. i think the government of israel understands quite well how the us government works. they interact frequently, notjust with members of the executive branch, but with members of congress, including senator schumer, who has travelled to israel a number of times over the years. and i m sure they fully understand that he speaks for himself. he s obviously someone we are in close contact