U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders spoke out against American aid to Israel for its war in Gaza, claiming that Israel has violated international and American law. He condemned Hamas as a terrorist organization but criticized Israel for its extensive destruction in Gaza, including the bombing of housing, hospitals, and universities. Sanders highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of children at risk of starvation.
Sanders referenced the Foreign Assistance Act as grounds for withholding military aid from Israel, citing a provision that states any entity that blocks U.S. humanitarian aid is in violation of the law. He accused Republican politicians and some Democrats of advocating for Israel to invade Rafah despite warnings of the humanitarian disaster it would create. Sanders asserted that Israel is becoming increasingly isolated due to its actions in Gaza, branding it as a “pariah nation.”
In response to questions about finding a non-military solution to defeat Hamas, Sanders emphasized the need to avoid causing further destruction in Gaza. He argued that while the goal may be to defeat Hamas, the current level of destruction and suffering inflicted on the Palestinian people is not justified. Sanders criticized Israel for its disproportionate response to Hamas attacks and its impact on civilians, particularly women and children.
Sanders pointed out the high number of Palestinian casualties, with tens of thousands dead or wounded, and noted the extensive damage to civilian infrastructure in Gaza. He condemned the bombing of hospitals and universities, as well as the targeting of civilians, as unacceptable conduct in a civilized society. Sanders called for a reevaluation of U.S. military aid to Israel in light of its actions in Gaza and urged for a more diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict.
Sanders’s statements on Israel’s actions in Gaza come amid growing criticism of the Israeli government’s handling of the conflict. He called for the U.S. to reassess its support for Israel, which he described as increasingly isolated on the world stage. Sanders’s remarks reflect a shift in the political discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a focus on holding Israel accountable for its actions and advocating for a more humane approach to resolving the conflict.
