Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Israel for their actions against the Palestinian people, accusing them of violating international law. He specifically pointed out Israel’s war against Hamas, claiming that it has been catastrophic for the Palestinian people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported high casualty numbers from the conflict, with thousands of civilians and terrorists killed. Sanders, who is Jewish, has been a vocal opponent of Israel’s actions against Hamas for years and has frequently criticized the US ally.
Sanders referenced a State Department report that suggested Israel may have violated international humanitarian law in Gaza, even though Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that definitive conclusions had not been drawn. Sanders firmly stated his belief that Israel has indeed broken international and American law and called for the US to stop providing military aid to Israel. He also praised President Joe Biden for halting a major bomb shipment to Israel in light of the ongoing conflict in Rafah, a southern Gazan city with a dense population of Palestinians.
The Vermont senator expressed concerns about the conflict between Israel and Hamas potentially becoming President Biden’s Vietnam, as progressive Democrats in his base are critical of Biden’s support for Israel during the war. Netanyahu has plans to enter Rafah, which he claims is a stronghold of Hamas, but Biden has urged caution and requested a credible plan for protecting civilians. Many Palestinians in Rafah have been displaced and are living in temporary shelters, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Despite his age, Sanders defended his decision to seek reelection, emphasizing his experience, accomplishments, and beliefs as determining factors for his candidacy. He acknowledged the concerns about his age but stated that he would not have announced his intention to seek another term if he did not feel confident about his ability to serve. Sanders also praised the president for his domestic policies while remaining critical of his approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. He urged voters to consider candidates as a whole and emphasized the importance of his progressive values and track record in politics.
In conclusion, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has drawn strong criticism from Senator Bernie Sanders, who believes that Israel has breached international law in its actions against the Palestinian people. He has called for an end to US military aid to Israel and applauded President Biden’s decision to halt a bomb shipment to the country. Sanders warned that Biden’s support for Israel during the conflict could alienate his progressive base, reflecting concerns that the conflict could become a defining issue for the president. Despite his age, Sanders defended his decision to seek reelection, highlighting his experience, accomplishments, and beliefs as the foundation of his candidacy.
