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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has publicly criticized Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza, demanding a change in leadership.

In a statement from the Senate floor, Schumer criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his leadership, particularly for his acceptance of civilian casualties. He said, “There needs to be a fresh debate about the future of Israel after October 7. As a democracy, Israel has the right to choose its own leaders, and we should let the chips fall where they may. But the important thing is that Israelis are given a choice.”

Schumer added, “We should not let the complexities of this conflict stop us from stating the plain truth: Palestinian civilians do not deserve to suffer for the sins of Hamas, and Israel has a moral obligation to do better. The United States has an obligation to do better.”

This comes as more lawmakers are beginning to raise serious concerns over the rising death toll in Gaza, with some estimates reporting 31,341 Palestinian deaths, many of them children, killed since the war’s onset.

Schumer’s remarks have stirred responses across the political spectrum, from the Israeli government to US politicians and the State Department. Matthew Miller, a State Department Spokesman, said, “There are a number of things we wanted to see Israel do differently.” Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said, “We expect the largest democracy in the world to respect Israeli democracy.”