'Israel not a banana republic': Netanyahu slams Schumer's 'undermining' speech

Israel expects US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to "refrain from undermining the Israeli government," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud faction said in a statement on Thursday.

Reacting to Schumer's speech, in which he accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of holding up peace in the Middle East and calling for elections in Israel, the Likud wrote that "Israel is not a banana republic, but a democracy proud of its choice in PM Netanyahu."

Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog posted on X his response to statements by US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"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. It is counterproductive to our common goals," Herzog wrote.

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. It is counterproductive to our common goals.

— Ambassador Michael Herzog (@AmbHerzog) March 14, 2024

Opposition head MK Yair Lapid wrote that Schumer's speech "is proof that, one by one, Netanyahu is losing the staunchest supporters of Israel.

"What's worse is, he is doing it on purpose," the former prime minister charged. "Netanyahu is causing serious damage to the national effort to win the war and maintain Israel's security.

Former PM Bennett: Israel not a banana republic

Fellow former prime minister Naftali Bennett also sent a statement on the Senate majority leader's speech, stating that he "strongly opposes external political intervention in Israel's internal affairs.

"We are an independent nation, not a banana republic," Bennett wrote.

Fmr Prime Minister Naftali Bennett:Regardless of our political opinion, we strongly oppose external political intervention in Israel's internal affairs.We are an independent nation, not a banana republic.With the threat of terrorism on its way to the West, it would be best…

— Naftali Bennett נפתלי בנט (@naftalibennett) March 14, 2024

"With the threat of terrorism on its way to the West, it would be best if the international community would assist Israel in its just war, thereby also protecting their countries."

Benny Gantz added later on Thursday, "Israel is a strong democracy, and only its citizens will determine its leadership and its future."