Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed his belief that Israel should not receive any further U.S. military aid, citing alleged violations of international and American law. He criticized Israel’s actions in its conflict with Hamas, stating that the result has been catastrophic for the Palestinian people. The U.S. State Department issued a report criticizing Israel’s use of U.S.-supplied arms in the conflict, suggesting that Israel may have breached international law in its conduct of the war against Hamas. The report acknowledged the challenge of identifying civilian targets in an active war zone.
Sanders referenced figures provided by the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government, claiming that approximately 35,000 Palestinians have been killed and 77,000 wounded, with a majority being women and children. He highlighted the extensive destruction of housing, infrastructure, and the healthcare system in Gaza. Sanders mentioned that blocking U.S. humanitarian aid is a violation of the law, and he suggested that countries that do so should not receive military aid from the United States. A group of House Democrats has expressed concerns about the potential impact of withholding weapons shipments to Israel during negotiations.
Host Kristen Welker questioned Sanders about the possibility of prolonging the conflict and weakening Israel’s position against Hamas by withholding weapons. Sanders expressed his belief that the American people support an immediate ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian aid, rather than contributing to the starvation of children. He noted that the U.S. support for Israel has led to increasing isolation internationally, with Israel being perceived as a pariah nation. Sanders acknowledged the difficulty in addressing the threat posed by Hamas without causing significant destruction, emphasizing the importance of new Palestinian leaders focusing on establishing their own state.
Sanders criticized the willingness of some Republicans and Democrats to provide significant military aid to Israel and potentially support further military actions. He highlighted the need for a non-military approach to address the threat posed by Hamas without causing excessive destruction. He expressed hope for a future generation of Palestinian leaders who can work towards establishing a state for the Palestinian people. The interview touched on the challenges of dealing with Hamas’ stated goal of destroying Israel while minimizing harm to civilians and infrastructure. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in U.S. foreign policy and international relations regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
