The Drastic Shift In The U.S.-Israel Relationship

For decades, support for Israel and its leaders was unquestioned in Congress. U.S. politicians never criticized the Jewish state, certainly not in public — and certainly never called for a change in government.

But Thursday was an extraordinary moment, one that underscores how the war in Gaza and the controversy over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have permanently altered the Democratic Party’s relationship with one of America’s closest allies.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history, went to the Senate floor and called for new elections to replace Netanyahu. Schumer also suggested that restrictions on U.S. aid may be necessary in order to pressure the Israeli government to change direction.

Minutes later, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell slammed Schumer’s remarks as “grotesque” and “unprecedented.” Other Republicans followed suit. Israeli officials piled on as well. Amir Ohana, the speaker of the Knesset, said Schumer’s “words contravene the reciprocal respect that should define our relationship.”

Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, said Schumer’s remarks were “counterproductive to our common goals.” Herzog was at the House Republican retreat Thursday, where he did a question-and-answer session behind closed doors with GOP lawmakers. Herzog also spoke to Senate Republicans the day before.

“The question of whether there’s a new election ought to…   be for the Israelis to decide,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said. “But I think there are very legitimate and strong questions that Sen. Schumer has raised.”

One top Democrat, though, acknowledged that the U.S.-Israel relationship is “fraying.” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) told us that Israel is “underestimating the extent to which their current war plan is isolating them in the international community, including in the United States.”

“It’s a very serious rift, but friends have rifts,” Schatz added. “Nothing can be done to make Israel safe if what’s being done creates a situation where Israel is alone.”