CNN Anchor Says Schumer Expressed ‘Horror’ At Hamas ‘Being Lauded As the Good Guys’ By Some In His Party’s Base
CNN anchor Dana Bash spoke with Susan Glasser, staff writer at The New Yorker, on Thursday about Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) floor speech earlier in the day calling for new elections in Israel. Bash highlighted the extraordinary moment in U.S. politics, noting that Schumer spoke as the “highest ranking elected American Jew” and it was the first time in her political “lifetime” that a U.S. leader called to oust the democratically elected leader of a close ally.
Bash also noted that Schumer had a message for his fellow Democrats:
He was expressing the frustration among Democrats with Israel. He also had a message to many in his base about his, clear frustration and frankly, look it sounds like horror, at the fact that Hamas, a terror organization, is now being lauded as the good guys in some corners. Listen to that part.
“It was Hamas who assassinated more moderate Palestinian political representatives in Gaza in 2007,” Schumer says in the clip, adding:
It is Hamas who has held Gaza under repressive, undemocratic rule for close to two decades. And it is Hamas who targeted those brave Gazans who’ve spoken out against its actions, or tried to bridge the divide between Israelis and Palestinians. Jewish Americans and Israelis alike have been appalled and hurt at efforts to rebrand Hamas, which is designated by the United States as a terrorist organization, as noble resistance or freedom fighters. Attempts to excuse their horrific actions against both Israelis and Palestinians are morally repugnant.
Bash reacted to the clip, saying, “Translation is like, don’t lose the plot here, Democrats.”
“Yeah. That’s right,” Glasser replied, adding:
I mean, look he’s trying to open up some political space in what has become a very zero-sum, debate about Israel and Hamas in the United States and in other countries in the West, where, one is either supporting all the actions of one or of the other and, you know, for for Schumer, for many Democrats, neither one of those positions is appealing. But mostly, I think you’re really hearing just an election-year cry. The status quo not being acceptable.
It is now taking a toll inside the Democratic coalition in a way that Democrats worry could affect both President Biden’s reelection could affect the unity of the Democratic Party. Pretty remarkable. Also, as my news reporting shows, to hear Republicans crying about the hypocrisy of Democrats in criticizing Israel, I would note that it’s Republicans in the House who have held up the spending bill that would supply both Israel as well as Ukraine with, urgently needed funds in these conflicts. So again, it’s there’s the rhetoric, but there’s also the real-world, policy debate.
“Yeah. And I’m sure you would agree. I don’t remember a leader calling for new elections, inside the country of a close ally, certainly in my, in my lifetime, covering politics, in covering, international affairs. I’m guessing you would agree with that as well. Susan, thank you so much. Appreciate you coming on. Putting everything in perspective,” Bash concluded.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
