Schumer explains why he didn't shake Netanyahu’s hand

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday he felt an responsibility to perceive Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak to Congress past week — but not to shingle nan premier minister’s hand.

"I went to this reside because nan narration betwixt Israel and America is ironclad and I wanted to show that,” Schumer (D-N.Y.) said, erstwhile asked why he did not shingle Netanyahu’s manus successful an question and reply pinch Robert Costa connected CBS "Face nan Nation." “But astatine nan aforesaid time, arsenic everyone knows, I person superior disagreements pinch nan measurement Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted these policies."

Netanyahu’s reside to Congress connected Wednesday was warmly received by galore of those successful attendance, but was met pinch superior backlash — pinch dozens of Democrats not attending nan reside owed to issues pinch Netanyahu’s handling of nan warfare successful Gaza. And moreover among those that attended, immoderate Democrats issued statements condemning Netanyahu's remarks.

Former Speaker of nan House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who did not be nan address, called Netanyahu's reside "by acold nan worst position of immoderate overseas dignitary invited and honored pinch nan privilege of addressing nan Congress of nan United States" successful a post connected X. When Schumer was asked astir Pelosi's words, and whether he regretted Netanyahu’s invitation to reside Congress, Schumer said nan Israel-U.S. narration should not beryllium limited connected immoderate 1 leader.

“As I've said, I wanted to show our ironclad committedness to Israel that transcends immoderate 1 premier curate aliases immoderate 1 president,” Schumer said. “No matter really overmuch you mightiness disagree pinch that premier minister."