Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign, giving new leverage to Democratic criticism of the Israeli leader.
In an interview released Monday, Pelosi cited the recent resignation of the Israel Defense Forces intelligence chief for failures surrounding the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack before criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu. .
“We recognize Israel’s right to defend itself. We reject Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policies and practices – they are terrible. What could be worse than what he has done in response?” Pelosi, D-Calif., told Irish broadcaster RTÉ’s Six One News.
“He should resign. The ultimate responsibility lies with him,” she added.
Asked whether she saw Prime Minister Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace, Pelosi said: “I don’t know if he’s afraid of peace, if he’s incapable of peace, or if he just doesn’t want peace. “This is becoming an obstacle to national resolution.” . ”
The Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.
Pelosi was interviewed during a visit to Ireland, where she was named the inaugural recipient of the Fulbright Irish Public Service Award.
Earlier this month, Pelosi joined more than 30 people who signed a letter asking President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to “reconsider” their recent decision to approve new arms package transfers to Israel. He joined the parliament.
Lawmakers had called on the United States to withhold further arms transfers until a full investigation into the bombing that killed seven World Central Kitchen humanitarian workers this month was completed.
More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to local health authorities. The Israeli government said the Oct. 7 Hamas attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took about 250 hostages, but it is unclear how many are still alive.
Pelosi’s comments come after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States, said on the Senate floor last month that “Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition no longer meets Israel’s needs,” and that the Israeli leader This came after he called for new elections to replace him. October 7th. ”
The Senate on Tuesday passed a $95 billion aid package that included $26 billion in aid to Israel and humanitarian relief for Gaza, passing it on Saturday. Biden is expected to sign the bill into law.
