State Dept Distances Biden Admin From Schumer's Israel Speech

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has distanced the Biden administration from a speech made by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) earlier today which called for new elections in Israel and directly criticised the administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• Schumer doubled down on his comments in a statement on Xa few moments ago: "At this critical juncture, I believe a new election in Israel is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel, at a time when so many Israelis have lost their confidence in the vision and direction of their government."
• When asked if Schumer's speech could make diplomacy with Israel more difficult, Miller says: "Congress is an independent branch of government... I think the government of Israel understands quite well how the US government works... I'm sure [the Israeli govt] fully understand that [Schumer] speaks for himself and it is not a statement from the executive branch."
• Miller later emphasizes: "These were statements made by Senator Schumer, not by the Biden administration," but adds "there are a number of things we want to see Israel do differently... we have made that quite clear in direct conversations with the Prime Minister..."
• Politico reports: "Schumer’s criticism marks a genuine milestone in a decade of steadily worsening relations between Netanyahu’s governments and Washington Democrats — and it creates space for others in the party to openly criticize the longtime PM. (Whether that eventually includes President Joe Biden remains to be seen.)"