Cotton expressed his disapproval in a statement, saying, "Chuck Schumer's demand for new Israeli elections is inappropriate and offensive. Israel is a close ally and a healthy, vibrant democracy. The last thing Israel needs is the 'foreign election interference' that Democrats so often decry here."
Schumer, who is Jewish, delivered a Senate floor speech on Thursday, expressing his discontent with Netanyahu. He accused the Israeli leader of losing his way by responding forcefully to the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which resulted in the death of over 1,200 Israelis. Schumer further criticized Netanyahu for aligning with "radical right-wing Israelis" and being "stuck in the past." He even equated the prime minister to a "major obstacle to peace," on the same level as Hamas and the Palestinian Authority's president.
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Schumer stated, "I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel." This comes as a surprise, considering that Schumer was seen embracing Netanyahu in pictures shared last year. Schumer's comments are the latest in a series of criticisms from Democrats against Israel's government, particularly from the party's progressive wing, which has blamed the Jewish state for defending itself.
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In the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel, far-left "Squad" members Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) and Cori Bush (D., Mo.) pointed fingers at Israel. Earlier this year, Bush and Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D., N.Y.) hosted a fundraiser with anti-Semitic activists who have defended terrorism. An anonymous Democratic congressman expressed his concern to Politico last year about the potential growth of anti-Semitism within his party.
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Cotton is among several Republicans who have condemned Schumer's remarks. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) described Schumer's call for Netanyahu's removal as "unprecedented," "grotesque," and "hypocritical." McConnell argued that Schumer and other Democrats are being hypocritical by expressing concern about foreign interference in American democracy while calling for the removal of Israel's democratically elected leader. McConnell concluded, "The Democratic Party doesn't have an anti-Bibi problem. It has an anti-Israel problem."