Biden and Netanyahu speak after Israeli PM voiced outrage over Schumer’s Congress speech

President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the Israeli prime minister voiced outrage at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s speech last week calling for new elections in Israel.

The two leaders spoke by phone on Monday about Israel’s current war in Gaza against Hamas after the terror group staged a surprise attack that killed 1,200 people and took multiple hostages, with many still in captivity.

The two also discussed the situation in Rafah. The Biden administration said it did not support Israel’s attack on Rafah “without a credible plan.”

Last week asked Israel for answers after the Israeli Defence Force launched on a United Nations Relief and Works Agency facility that killed an aid worker and injured civilians.

Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu have known each other for decades. In the days after the October 7, Mr Biden visited Israel and has shown strong support for the country. But Mr Netanyahu rebuffed Mr Biden’s calls, telling Fox & Friends “we’re not getting off the gas.”

But last month, Mr Biden said in a press conference that Mr Netanyahu’s response had been “over the top.” The words signaled the first major break with the Israeli government’s response.

Earlier this month, Vice President Kamala Harris also met with Israeli War Cabinet Member Benny Gantz when the former IDF general visited Washington. Mr Gantz also met with senior congressional leaders including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Last week, Mr Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, caused a firestorm in Washington when he called for new elections in Israel.

“The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel,” Mr Schumer said