The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected international pressure on Sunday not to attack Rafah, making it clear he would continue with the military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, while attacking the US.

In statements to CNN, the Israeli prime minister said today Sunday that the speech of the leader of the majority in the US Senate, the Democrat Chuck Schumer, in which he called for new elections to be held in Israel, is “completely inappropriate”.

In a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Schumer, a longtime supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking elected American Jewish official, called for holding new elections in Israel and said that Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace.

“I think what he said is completely inappropriate. It is inappropriate to go to a sister republic and try to replace the elected leadership there, especially in a time of war,” Netanyahu said in an interview with CNN.

The speech was indicative of growing dissatisfaction in Washington with Netanyahu, his handling of the war with Hamas, his failure to do more to protect Palestinian civilians and what is seen as obstruction of aid distribution to Gaza. International criticism of US support for Israel has grown over the death toll and famine crisis in the coastal enclave.

Schumer said that would be a “serious mistake” for Israel to reject a two-state solution and called on negotiators in the Israel-Gaza conflict to do everything possible to secure a ceasefire, the release of hostages and the flow of aid to Gaza.

US President Joe Biden said last Friday that Schumer’s comments show the concerns of many Americans, characterizing the remarks a “good speech”.

Sumer also criticized Palestinians who support the Islamist group Hamas and said Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas should also step aside.

Schumer also hinted at the possibility of Washington using its influence if Israel does not change course. But he stopped short of proposing a step that some Democrats support: introducing legislation to make easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza a condition for US arms to Israel.

“Is our memory that short?”

Also speaking at a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel would press on to Rafah, the last relatively safe place in the tiny, densely populated Gaza enclave after more than five months of war.

“We will try in Rafa. It will take several weeks, but it will happen.” Netanyahu said, without specifying whether he meant that the attack would last for weeks or that it would begin in a few weeks.

Israel’s allies have repeatedly called on Netanyahu not to attack Rafah, where at least a million displaced people from other parts of the battered enclave have sought refuge, with no plan to protect civilians.

Netanyahu fought back against pressure from allies, saying: “is your memory that short?” Have you so quickly forgotten October 7th, the most horrific massacre of Jews since the Holocaust? Are you so quick to deny Israel the right to defend itself against the monsters of Hamas?”

He has said Israel has a plan to remove civilians from Rafah, but aid agencies and Israel’s allies remain wary.