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Netanyahu's Likud party slams Schumer for not respecting the Israeli government
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is "expected to respect Israel's elected government and not undermine it," Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party said Thursday after the US senator criticized the Israeli prime minister and his government, calling for new elections.

"Israel is not a banana republic but an independent and proud democracy that elected Prime Minister Netanyahu," reads the Likud statement. "Contrary to Schumer's words, the Israeli public supports a total victory over Hamas" and "opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza," it said.

Remember: In its annual report released Monday, the US intelligence community assessed that the distrust in Netanyahus leadership has deepened and broadened across the public from its already high levels before the war, and we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections.
Meanwhile, Israeli war cabinet minister and the head of the National Unity party Benny Gantz also criticized the remarks.
Schumer "is a friend of Israel, who helps it a lot, also in these days, but he was wrong in his statement," Gantz said. "Israel is a strong democracy, and only its citizens will determine its leadership and future. Any external intervention in the matter is not right and unacceptable."
Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the US, said Thursday, As a lifelong supporter of Israel, it has become clear to me: The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7."
State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said he does not believe that the remarks will make it more difficult for the US to deal with Netanyahu, pointing out that the Israelis know that the comments did not come from the executive branch.