Schumer right to press for peace

The full context of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s speech last week regarding Israel and Gaza quickly faded into the background against its most newsworthy highlight. That is, he suggested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be replaced — democratically — by Israel's voters.

Schumer, the most prominent Jewish elected official in the U.S. and committed backer of Israel, detailed what he sees as four obstacles to peace in the region: Hamas and those “who support and tolerate their evil ways”; far-right Israelis “in government and society”; Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas; and then, Netanyahu. Why the fourth? Netanyahu won’t disavow his cabinet ministers calling for Palestinians to be run out of Gaza and the West Bank, Schumer said. Nor would he “commit to a military operation in Rafah that prioritizes protecting civilian life,” or “engage responsibly in discussions about a ‘day-after’ plan for Gaza, and a longer-term pathway to peace,” Schumer said.

Schumer's argument may already be helping arouse pressure. In a call Monday with Netanyahu, President Joe Biden reportedly warned a pending assault on Rafah “would be a mistake.” And U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced that Netanyahu agreed to soon send a delegation to Washington to discuss how Israeli aims could be achieved without a ground invasion. 

Biden, who embraced Netanyahu and traveled to Israel after Hamas’ horrific Oct. 7 massacre and kidnappings, now is under domestic and international pressure to justify continued U.S. support for its ally’s monthslong military operation that has cost thousands of civilian lives — without a clear end point. The siege has created massive hunger and lack of medical help for the Palestinian population.

Some ask how Schumer dares interpose himself in Israeli politics. But it should be remembered that over the years, Netanyahu and U.S. Republicans have had their own understandings, divorced from the advice or consent of elected Democrats. Steadfast support for Israel doesn't mean Netanyahu can't be criticized. 

In 2019, in time for an Israeli election, President Donald Trump declared U.S. recognition for Israel’s sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights. In 2015, also preelection, Republican House Speaker John Boehner had Netanyahu address Congress in a clear bid to undermine an Iran nuclear deal then being negotiated by President Barack Obama. Despite Netanyahu's Republican U.S. tilt, Biden has treated Netanyahu patiently. While declaring solidarity between Israelis and Americans, as he should, Biden did warn Israel from the start that the U.S. made mistakes in its reaction to the 9/11 attacks that shouldn’t be emulated.

At what point will Hamas be deemed defeated? And, after all hostages cruelly captured are hopefully returned, what happens “the next day”?

Schumer, still committed to the goal of an enduring two-state solution, is bent on pushing for the best possible settlement. He can't be blamed for the effort.