Netanyahu tells Republicans Israel will continue efforts to defeat Hamas

After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed U.S. Republican senators at a party lunch on Wednesday, the senators told reporters that Israel will continue its efforts to defeat the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“He’s going to do what he says he’s going to do. He’s going to get it done,” said Sen. Jim Reish.

Nearly a week ago, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke on the Senate floor, calling Netanyahu an obstacle to peace and urging Israel to hold new elections. Nearly a week later, the conservative Israeli leader spoke to Republicans via video link.

Wednesday’s meeting underscored the politicization of Israel policy in Washington. Netanyahu has long been aligned with Republicans, who have accused Schumer of trying to oust the Israeli leader.

“We asked … him for an update, and we got information on the war, the release of the hostages, and the efforts to defeat Hamas. We told him that Israel had every right to defend itself, and he said that’s exactly what they continue to do,” the senator said John Barrasso said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he was considering inviting Netanyahu to address Congress, though typically Johnson and Schumer, as Senate majority leader, would make such a move to foreign leaders. Class invitation.

Democrats have been grappling with partisan differences over Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, which began with an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel that killed 1,200 people and injured 253, according to Israel’s count. captured.

Schumer’s spokesman said Netanyahu also offered to talk to Democrats, but Schumer declined, saying the dialogue should not be partisan.

“I care deeply about Israel and its long-term future. When you make this issue partisan, you undermine the cause of helping Israel,” Schumer told reporters.

Progressives are calling on Democratic President Joe Biden to put more pressure on Israel to ease the humanitarian crisis in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Health authorities say nearly 32,000 Palestinians have been killed there.

Reish, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Netanyahu had addressed the issue of civilian casualties and the need for more aid to Gaza. He said Netanyahu was “very supportive” of plans to build temporary docks and deliver aid by sea.

“He was very sensitive to the fact that every civilian casualty was a very unfortunate incident,” Risch said.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Netanyahu had given a speech and then took questions from senators.

“I made it clear to him that the United States has no obligation to advise our democratic allies on when to hold elections or what military action might be conducted,” McConnell told reporters.