Netanyahu clashes with Democrats: 'Schumer's statements are wholly inappropriate'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday clashed with U.S. Democrats and slammed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for demanding he step down and hold elections early while Israel fights its war against Hamas.

"I think Schumer's statements are wholly inappropriate. I think we're not a banana republic. The people of Israel will choose when they'll have elections, who they elect, and it's not something that will be foisted upon us," Netanyahu said on "Fox & Friends Weekend."

Last week on the Senate floor, Schumer called Netanyahu a "major obstacle to peace" and said the Israeli prime minister "has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take the precedence over the best interests of Israel." While the next Israeli election is set to take place by October 2026, Schumer called on the country to hold elections early.

Although Schumer heavily criticized Netanyahu, Israel has been operating under an emergency unity government, which includes some members of Netanyahu's opposition, since days after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in the kidnappings of approximately 250 others.

Netanyahu also said that Schumer was wrong to call for his ousting amid a major war. 

"It's wrong to try to replace the elected leaders of a sister democracy and a staunch American ally at any time, but especially during the time of war," the prime minister said. 

"Just imagine that, after 9/11, and when you're in the midst of fighting Al Qaeda, and winning... some Israeli would say, 'Oh, the right thing to do is now to have new elections in America or have President Bush resign.' It's inappropriate. Shouldn't have been said. It's wrong."

Netanyahu also said he didn't know why Schumer made such comments, but that "the only thing that we should be focused on is changing the regime in Gaza, bringing down the terrorist regime of Hamas, and not the duly elected government of Israel."

Schumer's comments come as President Joe Biden has been facing increasing pressure from the far-left members of his party to crack down on Israel. Earlier this month, Biden was caught on a hot mic saying he would have a "'come to Jesus' meeting" with the leader of the world's only Jewish state.

Biden endorsed Schumer's comments, as did many other Democrats, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin, Md., former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Calif., and others. 

However, Republicans, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, La., criticized Schumer over his remarks. 

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.