(JTA) — Sen. Charles Schumer’s criticism of the Obama administration’s Israeli policy drew a rebuke from the White House.
In a radio interview last week on the "Nachum Segal Show" in New Jersey, Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the administration’s Israeli-Palestinian policy "counterproductive."
"When you give the Palestinians hope that the United States will do its negotiating for them, they are not going to sit down and talk," Schumer said. He added that Jewish members of Congress "will be meeting with the president next week or the week after, and we are saying that this has to stop."In a press briefing Friday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs took issue with Schumer’s criticisms.
Last Friday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs responded. "We have an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel and the Israeli people," Gibbs said. "We have said that from the beginning of this administration.
"I don’t think that it’s a stretch to say we don’t agree with what Sen. Schumer said in those remarks."
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