"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is firing back at Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after he called him an "obstacle to peace" and urged Israel to hold new elections. This comes after months of war have unleashed devastation in the Gaza Strip as calls to address the humanitarian crisis continue.
"There's also been an operation ongoing at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military recently released a statement saying that it now has full control over the medical facility calling on Hamas members to come out and surrender."
Schumer's Israel Intervention: Ally or Intruder? - The Jerusalem Post MARCH 18, 2024 . . ."In 2010, Schumer’s comments at an Orthodox Union event, advocating for the economic strangulation of Gaza to discourage support for Hamas while emphasizing the importance of humanitarian aid, drew criticism. He credited economic prosperity in the West Bank to cooperation with Israel and justified Israel’s blockade of Gaza as a means to promote moderation. "Schumer consistently supported Israel, notably during the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict – and in 2018, he dismissed the connection between Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the overall conflict. He also co-sponsored a Senate resolution opposing UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned settlement-building, criticizing the Obama administration for its abstention.
"In 2017, he co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, proposing penalties for participating in boycotts against Israel and settlements in response to Israeli government actions. He also introduced a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem’s reunification and praised then-President Donald Trump in 2018 for moving the embassy to Jerusalem – which he supported for decades. "In the complex realm of international relations, the urge to advocate for democracy and peace is noble, but the path to such ideals must be taken carefully, respecting the sovereignty and will of each nation’s people.
"Schumer’s intentions, rooted in a long history of support for Israel, reflect a genuine desire for peace and stability in the region, but intervening in the political process of another democracy, especially an ally like Israel, raises significant concerns about respect for self-determination and the potential for unintended consequences.
"The delicate balance between supporting allies and respecting their autonomy requires nuanced understanding and restraint.
"While external voices can play a role in encouraging dialogue and peace, the decision-making power ultimately lies with the citizens in question.
"As history has often shown, external interventions in another country’s politics can complicate and sometimes exacerbate tensions, however well-intentioned.
"Most Israelis reject a two-state solution, so promoting one must honor the principles of sovereignty and self-determination. Let’s encourage dialogue, support and cooperation, but also remember the importance of allowing nations to chart their own course democratically.". .