The Likud Party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attacked U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after he called for elections in Israel to succeed Netanyahu. The party stated, "Israel is an independent and proud democratic state that elected Prime Minister Netanyahu, and is not a banana republic." It added that "Prime Minister Netanyahu leads a firm policy that enjoys strong support from the majority of the people," according to the "Times of Israel" website.
The party continued, "Contrary to Schumer's words, the Israeli public supports a complete victory over Hamas and rejects any international impositions for the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state, and opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza." They emphasized that "Senator Schumer is expected to respect the elected government of Israel and not undermine it. This is always true, but it is especially true in wartime."
Simultaneously, the Israeli Finance Minister confirmed in response to Schumer that America should respect Israeli democracy. Meanwhile, Israel's ambassador to Washington stated that "it is not helpful to comment on our internal affairs from a friendly country." The Israeli opposition leader noted that Schumer's speech is evidence that Netanyahu is losing the biggest supporters of Israel in America, adding that "Netanyahu is causing severe damage to the national effort to win the war and maintain security."
