Israeli Newspaper| Democratic leader's speech draws a new equation: yes to Israel, no to Netanyahu

Alon Pinkas

Even when he was a member of the New York City Council, Senator Chuck Schumer, at the opening of every lecture or political appearance before a Jewish audience, used to say that his name was Shomir, originating from the Hebrew word “Shomir,” and that he was committed to the meaning of his name, and his primary goal was to defend a people and a state of Israel.

Yesterday, Schumer, who holds the position of Democratic Majority Leader in the Senate, did what he had committed to doing for many years. In his opinion, and according to his understanding, he defends and defends Israel. Not against its enemies, but rather protecting it from itself, not from the world, but from its prime minister. From Israel's point of view, if it loses Charles Chuck, it will have lost America.

The question of whether Schumer coordinated his speech with the White House, or merely informed the National Security Council, is not important, even if it was important at the political level. When the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate - a Jew from New York, positioned in the middle of the Democratic Party, and a constant supporter of Israel - says that the Prime Minister of Israel has lost his compass, is deceiving his audience, promoting an old, illogical vision, pushing Israel into isolation, and placing it in danger. He adds that, therefore, Israel must have a “new direction” and go to elections because it needs “new leadership” - this has very great political weight. Although Schumer's speech does not constitute an official policy for Biden, the strength and clarity of his words mark a major change in US-Israeli relations.

The question is: What is the motivation for this exceptional statement? The most important thing is that it took place from the Senate podium, unlike remarks that come out as a leak from a specific event, despite its importance. Schumer's statements are another link in the system of weak relations. The Biden administration does not see Benjamin Netanyahu as an ally of the United States. Yes to Israel, but no to Netanyahu.

This gradual but rapid path of distrust began years ago. It increased during Netanyahu’s provocative and unnecessary speech in 2015, specifically in Congress, against President Obama and the nuclear agreement with Iran, and it escalated with the attempted constitutional coup in 2023, and reached a (temporary) peak point in what the administration sees as Netanyahu’s lack of gratitude for the help and support he provided. He has had them since October 7, and also the direct confrontation with the United States, which Netanyahu is pushing and planning since November.

Despite the escalation that the speech presents, it is still a speech issued by a senator, despite its importance, and not a change in practical policy on the part of the Biden administration. However, the speech to a very large extent reflected Biden's disappointment on three basic points that turned out to be wrong regarding Israel.

The first point: We in the administration know Netanyahu and can deal with him. He speaks our language, we know his psycho-political profile. His penchant for emotional manipulation, fraud, double language, and his lies are well known to us. Because of the Israeli crisis since October 7, and the very strong attachment to American military and political aid, we will know how to deal with Netanyahu. This assumption turned out to be incorrect - Netanyahu's ability to camouflage and assume that confrontation would help him politically, is fueled by the Americans' claim that they know Netanyahu.

Secondly, Biden’s support, love, and concern for Israel are very strong and clear, and the assumption was that he was immune from entering into a confrontation with Israel, and that it would acknowledge him and avoid opposing American interests. This also turned out to be incorrect. Netanyahu has an interest in the confrontation, in order to turn October 7 into another story, which is that “they are imposing a Palestinian state on us.” Supporting Biden does not matter to him at all.

Third, Biden must refrain from direct confrontation with Israel because of America’s Jews. From the beginning of opinion polls in 1916, until 1952, when polls became conducted properly, 70% of American Jews vote for Democrats, and Israel is not among the five issues that concern them.

These three false assumptions are deconstructed by Chuck Schumer in one speech. His message is clear - if you've lost me, it's a sign you've lost Joe Biden. If you lose Joe Biden, your situation is very bad. The reason behind all this is Benjamin Netanyahu, and you have to do your own calculations.