Israeli envoy says US senator's call for new elections 'unhelpful' and 'counterproductive'

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Israeli ambassador in the US has criticized Senator Chuck Schumer for calling for new elections in Israel, saying comments on domestic political scene of an ally are "unhelpful" and "unproductive."

"Israel is a sovereign democracy. It is unhelpful, all the more so as Israel is at war against the genocidal terror organization Hamas, to comment on the domestic political scene of a democratic ally," Ambassador Michael Herzog said on X on Thursday. "It is counterproductive to our common goals."

The US Senate majority leader in a 40-minute speech had said Israel must make "significant course corrections" to achieve peace with the Palestinians, and criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.

Schumer said Netanyahu has “lost his way” in his pursuit of "political survival," is an obstacle to peace in the region, and called for new elections as the "only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel."

More than 31,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. The spiraling death toll has prompted widespread condemnation and fears of genocide in the territory.

​​​​​​​Tensions have increased between Washington and Tel Aviv over Israel’s plans to invade Rafah, a city in southern Gaza Strip, refusal to adhere to a two-state solution, and obstruction in delivery of aid to the Palestinians.