When Schumer became his brothers' reaper - opinion

• Published date: 24 March 2024
• Author: MARTIN OLINER
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The Democratic Party member Schumer's Middle East speech to the US Senate on March 14 was no exception. He said he very keenly felt his responsibility as Shomer Yisrael – a guardian of the People of Israel

But that did not stop Schumer from throwing Israel to the wolves a few minutes later. With this kind of guardian, it's a good thing the Jewish state has a strong army and can defend itself.

Much has been made of Schumer saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "lost his way" and encouraging Israel to initiate early elections. While inappropriate to be said by a senator to a democratic ally of the US, at least it is a legitimate point of view.

The worst part of the speech was actually not what made headlines. It was when Schumer threatened his brothers in Israel in a way no true guardian ever would.

"If Prime Minister Netanyahu's current coalition remains in power after the war begins to wind down and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing US standards for assistance, then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course," Schumer warned.

At a time of war, Israel needs love, not leverage – a term used only against adversaries, never about brothers. The Jewish state does not need its policies shaped from afar. It needs its allies to trust its consensus.

Schumer then added another line that started the right way yet insisted on adding an unfortunate "but" that completely contradicted the good part of the sentence.

"The United States' bond with Israel is unbreakable," he said. "But if extremists continue to influence Israeli policy unduly, then the Administration should use the tools at its disposal to make sure our support for Israel is aligned with our broader goal of achieving long-term peace and stability in the region."

So much for a guardian. Schumer put his unattainable fantasy of achieving Middle East peace above the fate of his own brothers who have suffered enough from previous diplomatic misadventures. It's like he got caught in a time warp, keeping him on October 6, while lecturing as an expert to Israelis who endured what happened the following day.

THE "TOOLS" Schumer refers to have been leaked and are known to the public: Predicating providing munitions on preventing an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah that is required to finish off both Hamas and the war. In other words, Schumer is threatening Israel...