Former Israeli Ambassador Oren slams Schumer for election comments

Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren slammed Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer over remarks about holding elections in Israel, saying the comments are out of contempt. 

"What I heard coming from Senator Schumer was contempt [and] disrespect not just of our democracy, but our sovereignty, which is very incompatible in relations between any allies," Oren said on the Thursday edition of the "Just the News, No Noise" TV show. 

Schumer on Thursday called on Israel to hold elections because of his disapproval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. 

Schumer also said that elections are the "only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel," according to Axios.

"How would Senator Schumer react if Israelis went to the polls and reelected Benjamin Netanyahu?" Oren asked. "Would that satisfy him?"

In response to some of President Joe Biden's recent criticisms of Israel, Oren said he does think Israel could have handled the pushback more strategically. 

"I think we could have navigated a little bit better," Oren said. "We're in this strange situation where the Democratic administration attacks Netanyahu and that helps appease a certain part of their constituency, the progressive constituency such as people in Michigan. Then Netanyahu strikes back and that helps assuage people in his constituency. It's almost as if they were in lockstep and they have an agreement. I know they don't but it can seem that way sometimes. I think Israel can navigate more, how should I say? More ... intelligently?"