JERUSALEM — After experiencing its lowest level of support in months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's popularity has rebounded in polls, which some say is due in part to the Biden administration and growing criticism from Democrats in with regard to the Jewish State.
Criticism has increased this week from all political sides after New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer's speech calling for new elections.
“As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer meets Israel's needs after October 7,” Schumer said Thursday on the Senate floor. “The world has changed dramatically since then, and the Israeli people are currently being stifled by a vision of government stuck in the past.”
Israel's Channel 14 published an investigation on Wednesday, a day before Schumer's outing against the Jewish state, highlighting the possibility that Netanyahu's conservative bloc would gain six additional seats in parliament after minister without portfolio Gideon Sa'ar. ended its partnership with Benny Gantz's National Unity Party.
SCHUMER CALLS ON NEW ISRAELI LEADER TO REPLACE NETANYAHU IN SENATE SPEECH
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, poses for a photo with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York at the Capitol in Washington, February 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, file)
Polls show Netanyahu would gain 56 seats in the Israeli Knesset to form a new government. A party bloc needs 62 mandates.
Middle East expert Caroline Glick told Fox News Digital that this dynamic is playing out.
“Schumer talked about Netanyahu, but Netanyahu is simply acting on public demands. As a result, Schumer and the White House's calls for Netanyahu's ouster only strengthen him politically,” Glick said.
The law of unintended consequences could also help Netanyahu. The Israeli prime minister's support could consolidate and he could gain new supporters thanks to Schumer's efforts to unseat a sitting head of state.
The New York senator is the highest-ranking Jewish politician in Congress.
by Schumer anti-Netanyahu speech has sent shockwaves across the Jewish state as it aims to root out the last vestiges of the Hamas terrorist organization in Rafah, Gaza, as part of its ongoing war of self-defense.
President Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York on September 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)
ISRAEL'S US AMBASSADOR SLAMS SCHUMER'S 'USELESS' ANTI-NETANYAHU SPEECH: 'ISRAEL IS A SOVEREIGN DEMOCRACY'
“Charles Schumer, like the Biden administration, fundamentally misunderstands the war and, therefore, cannot understand Israel's behavior,” said Glick, a former Netanyahu adviser. “This is not an anti-terrorism operation. This is a conventional war. Hamas did not carry out a terrorist attack on October 7.
“Hamas invaded Israel with division strength. This division of terrorist soldiers seized villages, bases and kibbutzim as Hamas carried out a massive cyberattack against Israeli critical infrastructure and the first team response and hit Israel with thousands of rockets.
“This is not a tactical battle. This is a strategic fight for survival. Either Israel survives or Hamas survives. The vast majority of Israelis understand this, which is why 75% of Israelis demand the conquest of Rafah and oppose the creation of a Palestinian state.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a gathering of Jewish leaders at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem, February 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
HOUSE GOP LEADERS call Schumer's comments on Israel 'inappropriate', demand apology in impromptu news conference.
Israelis hit back at Schumer's call to oust Netanyahu.
“Regardless of my opinion of Netanyahu and his fitness to serve, Senator Schumer's call for new Israeli elections is deeply disrespectful to our democracy and sovereignty,” wrote Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States. United under the Netanyahu administration, on
“Israel is an ally, not a vassal state. Along with the United States, we are one of the few countries that has never experienced a second of undemocratic government, and the only democracy that has never experienced a moment of peace. We certainly deserve this respect.
In the streets of Jerusalem, Israelis had divided opinions. Sitting outside with his family at the Aroma Cafe in the German Colony neighborhood, Dov Fox told Fox News Digital: “I don't think foreign politicians should dictate how foreign countries should vote. »
He acknowledged that Schumer “did a lot for Israel” but called his speech “crossing the line.”
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“Because of [Israel] “We have a special relationship with the United States, Chuck Schumer is a very central player there,” Avi Kay told Fox News Digital. “We need to be careful about what is said. Whether you agree with Chuck Schumer or not, I believe he has Israel's best interests at heart.”
Kay, who used Netanyahu's nickname Bibi, taken from his full name Benjamin, said: “Bibi is more interested in staying in power and that is not beneficial.”
Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, faces the ultimate test of his leadership following the massacre of 1,200 people by Hamas on October 7. His legacy and political survival are at stake.