Internet slams Joe Biden for praising Chuck Schumer's 'good speech' bashing Benjamin Netanyahu
WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden voiced his support for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's criticisms of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his demand to conduct a new election in the Jewish state.
Addressing reporters' questions during an Oval Office meeting with Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday, March 15, the president labeled the Senate leader's shocking remarks against the US ally a "good speech."
In a March 14 speech on the Senate floor, Schumer, the first Jewish Senate majority leader made waves when he said Netanyahu has "lost his way" and cautioned, "Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah" as the bloodshed on Palestinians continues.
Backing the Jewish Democrat lawmaker, Biden said, "I'm not going to elaborate on the speech. He made a good speech. I think he expressed serious concerns shared not only by him but by many Americans."
President Biden on @SenSchumer's speech on Israel: "He made a good speech and I think he expressed a serious concern shared not only by him but by many Americans." pic.twitter.com/mQAYYDWzd1
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 15, 2024
He also added that Schumer gave an advance notice to the White House about his speech.
The Palestinian death toll has crossed 30,000 since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7, 2023. Furthermore, Gaza has been pushed into a famine due to the lack of humanitarian assistance to the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced across the Gaza Strip.
Joe Biden refrains from calling for new elections in Israel
A significant demand of Schumer's Senate speech was new elections in Israel, citing that Netanyahu's coalition government "no longer fits the needs of Israel after October 7."
"At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government," the Jewish Senator said.
.@SenSchumer: ""At this critical juncture I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision making process about the future of Israel." pic.twitter.com/U1CTr6QW0C
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 14, 2024
However, President Biden, who has supported Isreal's right to defend itself after the October 7 attack by Hamas, did not echo the Senator's call for a fresh election. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby clarified that Biden was not demanding new elections in the Jewish state.
"That's going to be up to the Israeli people to decide," Kirby said. Nevertheless, he added that Schumer's statements "resonate with many Americans out there."
"For our part, we're going to keep supporting Israel in their fight against Hamas," the spokesperson continued, adding, "We're going to keep urging them to reduce civilian casualties, and we're going to keep working to get a temporary ceasefire in place so we can get the hostages back home with their families and more additional aid into the people of Gaza," Kirby added.
The US, a longtime ally of Israel, has supported Netanyahu since the October 7 attack but recently became more critical of Netanyahu's refusal to negotiate a ceasefire and for hindering the measures to increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Moreover, the Biden administration faces pressure from pro-Palestinian protestors who accuse the incumbent of not coercing Israel into a ceasefire. The same was reflected in the primary elections for his re-election bid, with states like Michigan voting "uncommitted," causing a dent in his vote share.
Internet says Joe Biden is throwing Israel 'under the bus'
Infuriated with Biden's indirect support to Schumer's criticism of Netanyahu and demand for a new election in Israel, the internet slammed the President, asking him to stay out of elections of other countries.
One user wrote, "Biden throwing Israel under the bus."
"Mind blowing- this administration has gone cuckoo- what happen to democracy? ALL of this for votes," another user remarked.
Mind blowing- this administration has gone cuckoo- what happen to democracy? ALL of this for votes.
— Cathykelly (@louwhite1107) March 15, 2024
A third user outrageously demanded, "STAY OUT OF OTHERS ELECTIONS YOU FOOL."
"Disgraceful," a fourth response read. While another one wrote, "King Biden trying to interfere in other country’s elections. What an ego."
King Biden trying to interfere in other country’s elections. What an ego
— Nathan Ackley (@NathanAckley) March 15, 2024
One user stated, "This is not the USA’s call. Biden and Schumer need to stay out."
This is not the USA’s call. Biden and Schumer need to stay out.
— WasatchMan (@_WasatchMan) March 16, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.