Former US House Speaker says 'Israel's reputation is in danger'

Speaking to CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union," Pelosi noted that Schumer, the highest-ranking elected Jewish official in the US, "is concerned about the weakness of the Palestinian Authority and the very, very dangerous attitude of the right-wing Israeli government ."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told journalist Bash earlier Sunday that Schumer's comments were “completely inappropriate” and refused to commit to holding new elections.

Israel's famous former US House of Representatives speaker is in danger 1 — Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Photo: CNN

"The Prime Minister's speech demonstrated the need for Chuck Schumer's speech. Chuck Schumer's speech was an act of courage, an act of love for Israel," Pelosi said.

Her latest comments underscore a shift in tone from top US leaders in recent weeks. President Joe Biden said last week that Netanyahu was “hurting Israel more than helping Israel” and called the potential occupation of Rafah a “red line,” though he made clear that crossing it would not result in sanctions against Israel.

The White House and Democrats in the US Congress have been among the most vocal critics of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as Palestinians increasingly face deadly violence in their search for aid.

Pelosi said Mr Netanyahu must be “uninformed or uninformed” about the humanitarian situation in Gaza after the prime minister said Israel was taking appropriate steps to increase aid corridors. The Democrats called it a “very sad situation” as aid organisations warned of looming famine in the region.

More children in Gaza are dying of hunger and dehydration, according to the World Health Organization and Palestinian officials, while UNICEF says thousands of newborns are at risk of starvation in the next month. Aid agencies have accused Israel of imposing arbitrary criteria and blocking the delivery of aid into the war-torn territory.

Mai Anh (according to CNN)

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