A new chapter in US-Israeli relations was added on Thursday, as statements by officials echoing displeasure mounted. within the US government against the policy of the Israeli prime minister, most recently that of the head of the Democrats in the Senate, who called Netanyahu an “obstacle to peace” and favored holding elections in Israel. Immediately afterward, the State Department distanced itself, saying that Schumer’s statements reflected his personal views.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party was quick to respond to the comment with a sharp statement, saying Israel is “not a banana” and Netanyahu’s policies have broad public support.

In particular, the Democratic leader of the US Senate Chuck Schumer today came out in favor of holding elections in Israel, calling the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an “obstacle to peace”.

“A coalition under Netanyahu does not meet Israel’s needs after October 7,” the start date of the war with Hamas, the influential US lawmaker said during a speech.

Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader of the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the US, has so far been cautious in his criticism of Israel, which is waging an increasingly controversial military campaign in Gaza.

“I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way, letting his political survival come before the supreme interest of Israel,” the Democrat stressed from the Senate floor.

Five months after the start of the war, Israel is at a “critical point,” Chuck Schumer said, arguing that holding “new elections is the only way to allow a healthy decision-making process” about the country’s future.

We are not bananas, Israel replies

Subsequently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party responded to the American senator, even referring to the broad public support, as he reports, of the Israeli Prime Minister.

Israel”it’s not a banana” and Netanyahu’s policy has broad public support, Likud said.

“Contrary to Sumer’s statements, Israeli public opinion supports a total victory against Hamas, rejects any international dictates to create a Palestinian terrorist state, and opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza,” the Likud statement said.

“Senator Schumer must respect Israel’s elected government and not undermine it. This is always true, and even more so in wartime.’

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionist party, also reacted, saying that the US must respect Israeli democracy.

State Department: They echo his personal views

Trying to distance himself from Schumer’s comments, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US Congress operates independently of the government.

When asked if there is any sort of uneasiness in the ranks of the US government towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Miller stressed: “There are a lot of things that we would like to see Israel do differently.”