Chuck Schumer Booed While Speaking at Israel Parade in NYC

Videos shared on social media on Sunday show Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer being booed by some crowd members at a parade for Israel in New York City.

Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the United States and longtime supporter of Israel, has become increasingly critical of Israeli leadership as the Middle Eastern nation's war with Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, drags on in besieged Gaza.

Israel has been facing mounting international condemnation over its monthslong offensive in Gaza, where more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 76,000 people wounded, according to the Associated Press, per the Gaza Health Ministry. While the Hamas-run ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count, it says at least two-thirds have been children and women.

The war began after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that left 1,200 people dead and saw over 200 more taken hostage.

Meanwhile, in March, the New York Democrat called for new elections in Israel and described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an "obstacle to peace." Netanyahu dismissed Schumer's criticism, calling the remarks "ridiculous."

Despite scrutinizing the Israeli leader, Schumer reportedly plans to join Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson in inviting Netanyahu to address Congress.

As the senator was being introduced to speak during a parade for Israel in New York City on Sunday afternoon, boos could be heard erupting from the crowd, videos show.

Videos shared to X, formerly Twitter, show the booing continue as Schumer chants, "Bring them home" in reference to the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza. About half of the Israeli hostages were freed during a temporary ceasefire in November.

An independent photographer, who goes by Viral News NYC on X, shared a 25-second clip of the incident on the social media platform, igniting swift backlash for the Democratic senator. While some people cheer and clap, boos can still be heard in the video.

"The Israeli Day Parade. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer was met with boos while delivering a speech," Viral News NYC wrote on X.

Newsweek reached out via email on Sunday to Schumer's representatives and parade organizers for comment.

In one social media post criticizing Schumer, Dr. Eli David wrote on X: "Senator Chuck Schumer remained silent during the violent antisemitic protests in US campuses, being careful not to alienate his voters. Today he was deservedly booed during Israel Parade in New York."

Another X account, The Israel Files, also criticized the New York lawmaker on Sunday while sharing a video of Schumer being booed.

"Rough day for Senator Charles Schumer at the Israel Day Parade today," The Israel Files wrote. "Participants booed Schumer en masse and held up signs like this one about Schumer turning his back on the Jewish People. To make matters worse for himself, Schumer completely mispronounced the name of Israeli hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen. Mark my words: President Biden and Senator Schumer are completely underestimating Jewish sentiment right now, and unless they seriously change course they'll have quite an election season."

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