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Where is Chuck Schumer When Israel Needs Him?
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has long branded himself as a staunch supporter of Israel. Yet, when it comes to key moments that demand unwavering support for the Jewish state, Schumer’s actions tell a different story. His record reveals a troubling pattern of inaction, political maneuvering, and outright betrayal that has left Israel vulnerable at critical junctures.
From his hesitant stance on the Iran nuclear deal to his recent obstruction of bipartisan sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), Schumer’s choices have consistently undermined Israel’s security. It’s time to hold him accountable for his record and demand decisive action in favor of America’s closest Middle Eastern ally.
Schumer’s handling of President Obama’s 2015 Iran nuclear deal is a glaring example of his failure to act in Israel’s best interests. Initially, Schumer supported the deal, which provided billions of dollars in sanctions relief to Iran while offering limited safeguards against its nuclear ambitions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the agreement, calling it a grave threat to Israel’s security and survival.
While Schumer ultimately voted against the deal after intense public backlash, he only did so after delivering a speech lambasting Netanyahu’s opposition. This calculated move allowed him to appear supportive of Israel while ensuring that his opposition would not derail Obama’s foreign policy agenda. As a result, the deal passed, and Iran continued its destabilizing activities in the region, emboldened by newfound financial resources.
Fast forward to today, Schumer’s reluctance to support sanctions against the ICC is yet another betrayal of Israel. The ICC, a politicized international body, has targeted Israeli leaders with arrest warrants for actions taken in self-defense against terrorist groups like Hamas. These actions threaten to delegitimize Israel’s right to protect its citizens and pave the way for further legal and diplomatic attacks on the Jewish state.
Despite bipartisan support for a sanctions bill in the House, Schumer has blocked its progress in the Senate, enabling the ICC to continue its campaign against Israel. As World Israel News reported, Schumer’s obstruction came after President Biden signaled his own appeasement by revoking Trump-era sanctions on the court. Once again, Schumer has chosen to side with political expediency over Israel’s security.
As Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) has warned, the ICC’s actions set a dangerous precedent for criminalizing self-defense. By targeting Israel and U.S. soldiers, the court undermines the basic right of nations to protect their citizens from terrorism and aggression.
The bipartisan House sanctions bill offers a clear solution, including asset freezes and visa bans for ICC officials involved in these overreaches. While the bill stops short of sanctioning the ICC as an institution, it represents a critical step toward reining in the court’s abuses. Yet, Schumer’s obstruction threatens to derail this effort, leaving both Americans and Israelis at risk.
Schumer’s actions on this issue will serve as a litmus test for his leadership and commitment to Israel. Will he stand with Israel and America’s soldiers, or will he continue to enable the ICC’s dangerous agenda? Other Senate Democrats, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Mark Kelly, and Jacky Rosen, must also decide whether their pro-Israel rhetoric will translate into meaningful action.
With bipartisan support already in place, there are no excuses for inaction. Schumer and his Democratic colleagues must seize this opportunity to protect U.S. sovereignty and Israel’s right to self-defense.
Chuck Schumer’s record on Israel is clear: he has repeatedly failed to prioritize the security and well-being of America’s closest ally in the Middle East. From his delayed opposition to the Iran nuclear deal to his obstruction of sanctions against the ICC, Schumer has demonstrated a troubling willingness to undermine Israel at critical moments.
It’s time for Senate Democrats to rise above political calculations and do what’s right. The bipartisan sanctions bill against the ICC is a necessary step to safeguard Israel’s security and protect U.S. sovereignty. Schumer must finally show the conviction he claimed when threatening Supreme Court justices in 2020 and take decisive action to support Israel when it matters most. Anything less is a betrayal of the values he claims to uphold.
