OPINION:
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest ranking Jewish elected officer-holder in the nation, said in publicly delivered remarks that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “bowed to the demands of extremists” and has “lost his way,” and Israel ought to hold new elections to remove him from his leadership position.
As if Bibi and Israel take marching orders from a U.S. senator?
This is, as former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer put on social media, “one of the most disgusting speeches ever given in the Senate.”
But this is also an alarming sign of America’s turn from Israel — or, more specifically, the Democrat Party’s turn from Israel. With President Joe Biden, U.S. policy toward Bibi and the Jewish state’s counterattacks against Hamas, to root out and destroy the terrorists, has been frenetic, at best. On one hand, Biden tells Israel that America stands steadfastly on the side of the Jewish people while they fight against the terrorists who struck on October 7; on the other, he stands by as his right hand VP woman, Kamala Harris, demands an “immediate” cease fire, despite the fact Netanyahu has explained time and again the mission is total destruction of the terrorist group. On the one hand, Biden bear hugs Bibi; on the other, he says Israel’s planned operation into Rafah would be a red line — and then like that, he says there is no red line.
“Israeli officials taking Biden’s red line ‘very seriously,’ says former ambassador,” NBC News wrote.
“Netanyahu vows to defy Biden’s ‘red line’ on Rafah,” Politico wrote.
“Biden says there is no ‘red line’ for Israel and that he will ‘never leave’ Israel without support,” Middle East Eye wrote. And in that interview, in answer to a question about Israel entering Rafah, Biden first said, “It is a red line,” and then in the next breath, this: “[But I’m never going to leave Israel. The defense of Israel is still critical. So there’s no red line I’m going to cut off all weapons.” And seconds later? “But there’s red lines that if he crosses — he cannot have 30,000 more Palestinians dead.” Say what, Mr. President?
Frenetic. All over the map. All over the board.
And that makes America, to Israel, a bad friend right now.
Israel is facing enough insecure from enemies; the Jewish people shouldn’t have to feel insecure about their friends, as well.
“Israelis war cabinet member Benny Gantz … who is the chairman of Israel’s National Unity Party and a political opponent of Netanyahu, met with Vice President Kamala Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan at the White House,” CBS News wrote on March 4. “Gantz’s visit to Washington comes as the Biden administration has seemed to take a tougher rhetorical stance on Israel.”
Message sent: This White House is moving on from Netanyahu and looking forward to new Israeli leadership.
Team Biden has stepped from the shadows of whispered criticisms against Netanyahu to standing idly by as their party’s most recognized Jewish politician, Schumer, ratchets rhetoric and outwardly, publicly, despicably attacks Netanyahu and suggests his ouster would be both warranted and beneficial. As Politico wrote, “to make such comments is a green light for any Israel critic to say their piece.”
Yes. It is. As if antisemites needed more fuel. A proper ally in the White House would strongly, loudly and blisteringly strike back at Schumer’s remarks and make clear, both domestically and around the world — to Israel and to Israel’s enemies — that the senator was out of line; that his speech was not representative of the administration’s view of the situation; that the enemies of Israel were the enemies of America; and that enemies of Netanyahu were enemies of the White House, as well. But that didn’t happen. So Schumer’s remarks have the semblance of speaking for this White House. On a policy level, that’s a shame and a blot; Israel was horrifically attacked and has every right to defend itself — but more than that, the Jewish nation absolutely must destroy the terrorists who attacked, for the sake of the Jewish people and for the sake of world peace and stability.
But on a spiritual level, the turn of America against Israel sounds bells of biblical prophecy.
“[A]fter Israel was regathered, the Lord said she would come under attack,” Pastor Greg Laurie said, in Harvest. “Specifically, in Ezekiel 37 and 38, the Bible speaks of the regathering of Israel, and then it speaks of a large force from her north attacking her. That force is identified as Magog. Who is Magog? … [M]any Bible students and prophecy teachers believe it’s modern-day Russia.”
America’s long-time stand with Israel has no doubt kept many of the Jewish nation’s enemies at bay. But a wishy-washy White House — a weak White House — lay the groundwork nicely for nations with tyrannical leaders and nefarious designs and plots for global dominance to launch various attacks they’ve previously delayed, out of fear of America. The timing is ripe for terrorists with hatred of Jews to take up their arms. And they have. It was called October 7.
If America continues to call out Israel, not Hamas, as the party of guilt in the continuance of war in the region, then it seems only natural the pressures from the international community — filled with antisemites and Israel bashers — for Netanyahu to stand down and cease fire will grow in intensity; which will widen divides between Israel and America, and Israel and the rest of the world; which will give anti-Israel terrorists more tools and weapons and support to continue and expand attacks against Israel; which will create more likelihoods and opportunities for additional attacks against Israel — additional attacks involving other parties. Like Magog.
Nobody knows the time or date of the second coming of Jesus. But with each passing day, the time and date grow closer. And with each passing day under this administration, under the leadership of the Democrat Party, under the command of President Joe Biden, the time and date for total turning against Israel seem to grow closer, as well.
Israel is taking a brave stand to kill not just their enemies, but the enemies of all in the world who cherish freedom. America ought to cheer, support and value that stand. This is not a political situation. It’s moral.
And morality dictates terrorists who rape, pillage, murder and cause mayhem ought to pay for the consequences of their actions, even to death — but in this war, especially to death.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “Lockdown: The Socialist Plan To Take Away Your Freedom,” is available by clicking HERE or clicking HERE or CLICKING HERE.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.