Schumer's Shifting Stance on Israel-Palestine Smacks of Political Opportunism

Late last week on the floor of the US Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer appeared to shift his stance on the unfolding humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

The situation has escalated beyond a crisis; it has become a profound shame for humanity.

Gaza is a Genocide that continues to beckon and with the onslaught of mass murder and a declaration by Israel – Raffa is the final chapter in its genocidal quest for the elimination of Palestinian people – the world continues to sit idly by and do nothing.  

Nothing is as it seems, revealing an unspoken agenda that conceals true motives beneath a veneer of duplicity especially when its subtlety smacks you right in the face.

On Friday, in a speech to Congress, Schumer delivered what could only be seen as a 360 degree about face an attitude about Gaza and Israel he has publicly made clear where he stands and who he stands with.

Schumer has been a staunch supporter of the Israeli Government’s attitude toward Palestine and the need for an Israel State.

So, for the world - consumed by the horrors of Gaza, and the unrelenting terror waged on a people because of a Zionist ideology no different to Nazism, it would have been intriguing to witness the surge of political chatter from the Senate floor and listening to Schumer’s analysis of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As remarkable as Schumer’s ‘supposed’ about face is, it’s ignited a firestorm of debate bringing into question the sincerity of his intentions and the broader U.S. stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Schumer’s comments harbour a huge caveat which is why not everything is as it seems.

Schumer’s remarks about Netanyahu strayed from the overwhelming support he has shown Netanyahu previously.

Now Schumer attacked the Israeli Prime Minister for prioritising political survival over Israel's best interests, notably his alignment with far-right extremists and the toll such coalitions take on civilian lives in Gaza.

The alignment, according to Schumer, not only jeopardises Israel’s global standing but risks turning it into a pariah state.

Israel has not only gone past that point, it will never recover from the lunacy of Netanyahu and its far-right radical fanatics, Israel will never be welcomed to the Family of Nations again.

Yet, despite the sharpness of Schumer's critique, a closer analysis reveals political manoeuvring that casts doubt on the sincerity of Schumer’s condemnations.

Schumer's sudden vocal opposition to Netanyahu's policies and his call for a re-evaluation of U.S. support for Israel might be more a matter of political convenience than a genuine shift in policy perspective.

Given Schumer’s long-standing support for Israel and his close ties with AIPAC, his statements are perceived by many as an attempt to ease the domestic political fallout, considering the growing concern over the treatment of Palestinians among certain voter demographics throughout the US.

The debate extends beyond Schumer - implicating US foreign policy which provides Israel with $4 bn in military aid annually.

America’s support has come under scrutiny, because it enables the continuation of policies that lead to civilian casualties in Gaza, undermining any prospect for peace.

It not only questions the morality of support but the wisdom backing policies that have now isolated Israel.

Even if Netanyahu were replaced, it’s unlikely there would be any change to Israel's policies towards Palestinians.

And there underlies the scepticism about the potential for real change stemming from political shifts - suggesting systemic issues in US-Israel relations and their impact on the conflict need addressing.

Furthermore, the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict, particularly through the lens of Secretary of State Antony Blinken's comments are fascinating.

Blinken's attempts to reconcile military support for Israel with humanitarian efforts in Gaza are seen as symbolic of a larger policy dissonance within the U.S. government - reflecting a troubling gap between US rhetoric on human rights and the practical implications of its foreign policy decisions.

What remains troubling is the internal dynamics operating within the US and Israel – it seems Netanyahu may have been forewarned about Schumer's comments.

If that’s the case, a further layer of complexity is added to the public debate - implying statements on sensitive issues are often part of a larger, coordinated play, diminishing their authenticity and impact.

Intelligence agency Mossad may have had prior knowledge of Schumer’s speech which highlights how deeply intertwined the US and Israel are and the sophisticated political manoeuvring that exists between both countries.

Schumer's criticism of Netanyahu reflects a broader disquiet about the direction of US foreign policy towards Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Critics are calling for a more principled stance that goes beyond mere rhetoric to entail substantive policy shifts.

There is now a call for a re-evaluation of US military aid to Israel and a more balanced approach recognising the rights and humanitarian needs of Palestinians.

If anyone had any doubt what the Israeli-Palestinian conflict means – it has become a litmus test for the integrity and efficacy of US foreign policy.

As for Chuck Schumer, he not only lacks it, but his duplicity has always been a painful blight on the landscape of political integrity - undermining the trust and faith constituents place in their elected representatives.

Schumer has always prioritised political expediency over genuine commitment to the welfare of the public for the advancement of his own personal gain. Trust isn’t a characteristic he’s brimming with.