Netanyahu speaks to GOP lawmakers: Prime minister vows to continue war in Gaza, criticizes Democratic leader

WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Senate Republicans he's committed to eradicating Hamas as the Israel-Hamas war stretches into its seventh month, and as Israel has drawn increasing criticism from some American lawmakers.

Netanyahu also said he wasn't happy with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's call last week for elections in Israel. Senate Republicans repeatedly hammered the New York lawmaker following the meeting where the Israeli leader appeared via video conference Wednesday.

Republicans' reactions reflected a deepening divide in the Senate over the politics of the war between Israel and Hamas. Democrats are aiming to thread the needle between supporting Israel while condemning its killing of Palestinian civilians, and Republicans allege their Democratic counterparts are undermining Israel's efforts to eliminate Hamas.

Hamas attacked Israel last October, killing around 1,200 Israelis and taking hostages into Gaza, more than 100 of which remain in Hamas' custody. Israel responded with a massive bombing campaign that has killed more than 31,000 people and caused a humanitarian crisis among survivors.

Netanyahu "made it very clear that he intends to prosecute the war against Hamas to the full extent of his power, and he said the American people are behind him," said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. "He said even if we have to go it alone, we will not stop."

Kennedy said that Netanyahu did not specifically mention plans on Wednesday to launch an offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge from Israel's pursuit of Hamas in the rest of the region, "but he said our plans are well known and we intend to follow them." Many have expressed concerns about the massive toll the move could take on civilians.

The Israeli leader also said he was grateful for the support he's gotten so far from President Joe Biden "and he hopes that that support continues," said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

Nevertheless, the Israeli prime minister still had some criticism for Democratic officials. Netanyahu said Schumer's comments on the Senate floor last week were "wholly inappropriate" and "outrageous," said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.

Schumer – the highest-ranking Jewish official in American history – delivered a scathing speech last week that called for Israelis to hold elections, saying Netanyahu has become an obstacle to peace in the Middle East. Biden praised Schumer’s remarks on Friday as “a good speech.”

Schumer also criticized Hamas and Palestinians who support the militant group, calling for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to "step down and be replaced by a new generation of Palestinian leaders who will work toward attaining peace with a Jewish state."

"I made it clear to (Netanyahu) that it's not the business of the United States to be giving a democratic ally advice about when to have an election or what kind of military campaign it may be conducting," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters Wednesday.

Schumer defended his speech, saying he gave it "out of a real love for Israel."

"If you read the speech, we called only for there to be an election after the hostilities had declined, after Hamas was defeated," he said Wednesday.

Netanyahu also reportedly requested a meeting with Senate Democrats but Schumer declined, citing concerns about Netanyahu addressing lawmakers in separate partisan meetings.

"I care deeply about Israel and its long-term future," Schumer said when asked about his refusal to hear from Netanyahu. "When you make the issue partisan, you hurt the cause of helping Israel."

The war in Gaza has become a divisive issue among Democrats, as less than half of Democratic voters view Israel favorably and young people – a key Democratic voting bloc – are increasingly frustrated with Biden's handling of the crisis.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netanyahu addresses Senate GOP, pledges to continue war in Gaza