Bernie Sanders is pictured within the Eisenhower Govt Workplace Constructing on April 3 in Washington, D.C. Sanders accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of utilizing claims of antisemitism as a deflection of criticism of the warfare.
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Bernie Sanders is pictured within the Eisenhower Govt Workplace Constructing on April 3 in Washington, D.C. Sanders accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of utilizing claims of antisemitism as a deflection of criticism of the warfare.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photos
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is likely one of the most high-profile Jewish officeholders in the US. He is additionally emerged as one of many fiercest critics of Israel’s ongoing warfare in Gaza. Sanders has urged the U.S. to finish monetary and navy help for Israel.
After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on Wednesday criticizing ongoing campus protests throughout the U.S. as antisemitic, Sanders responded with a video of his personal, straight refuting the prime minister’s assertion.
In an interview with All Issues Thought-about, the impartial lawmaker stated he felt the necessity to reply as a result of Netanyahu, in his thoughts, has tried “to deflect consideration from that horrendous actuality [of the Israel-Hamas war] to speak about antisemitism, to deflect away from what he’s doing,” in Gaza.
“In my opinion, and I believe the view of most People now, Israel’s response has been grossly disproportionate,” Sanders informed NPR’s Scott Detrow. “Gaza has 2.2 million individuals, largely very poor Palestinians. And during the last six months, 33,000 individuals have been killed, 77,000 have been wounded, two thirds of whom are ladies and kids.”
This interview has been frivolously edited for size and readability.
In response to critics who argue that the extraordinary school protests are linked to a broader wave of rising antisemitism
Look, antisemitism has at all times existed. It exists at this time. And also you’re proper, it’s getting worse. Islamophobia is getting worse. And we’re dwelling at a time when bigotry is on the rise. And I hope that each one of us condemn all types of bigotry, together with antisemitism.
However to recommend that when you’ve gotten a big majority of the American individuals who, amongst different issues, don’t need to help extra U.S. navy support to Netanyahu’s warfare machine, we’re not going to recommend that each one of these individuals are antisemitic.
The overwhelming majority of the people who find themselves protesting, who really feel strongly about this concern, don’t like Hamas. They perceive Hamas is a terrorist group and they aren’t antisemitic. They’re disgusted by what’s going on in Gaza proper now, which — amongst different issues, is just not solely, to my thoughts, immoral — it’s clearly unlawful. It’s breaking U.S. legislation. We shouldn’t be funding Netanyahu’s warfare machine.
In response to Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who posted on social media, “These ‘protests’ are antisemitic, unconscionable, and harmful. Add some tiki torches and it is Charlottesville for these Jewish college students.”
I strongly disagree with Sen. Fetterman. Once more, are there antisemites on this nation and on campus and at these protests? Completely. However I believe the overwhelming majority of people who find themselves protesting — and this isn’t simply school college students — ballot after ballot reveals that the American individuals are sick and uninterested in funding a warfare machine for a right-wing extremist authorities in Israel proper now that’s doing unprecedented hurt, I imply, simply disastrous hurt to the individuals in Gaza and to their total lifestyle.
You understand, individuals discuss in regards to the day after, what occurs when this warfare ends. There’s not going to be a lot left in Gaza. 5 % of the inhabitants of Gaza, two-thirds of whom are ladies and kids, have been killed or wounded. That’s what I believe is upsetting the American individuals, and clearly all of us ought to condemn any type of antisemitism or pro-Hamas exercise.
On how involved he’s that the deep anger in regards to the president’s coverage on the warfare in Gaza amongst younger voters might hold Biden from profitable the election
I’m very involved. I imply, I believe not solely is supporting Netanyahu’s right-wing and racist authorities horrible coverage, I believe it’s extremely dangerous politics. And I believe you are going to see not simply younger individuals, not simply individuals of coloration, however as you talked about, a big a part of the Democratic base, very, very upset in regards to the function the Democrats and the president are taking part in on this complete course of.
However alternatively, what I additionally imagine is that given the selection between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the selection may be very clear and the American individuals will perceive that. And that’s you’ve gotten a president who, for the primary time in American historical past, Biden, walked the picket line in protection of staff; [is] sturdy on local weather change. [Biden] understands, in contrast to Trump, that it’s ladies who should management their very own our bodies, not native politicians. Who is knowing that local weather change is actual and has put extra money into preventing local weather change than any president in historical past.
So whereas I and I believe many hundreds of thousands of individuals are upset about Biden’s place on Gaza and the warfare there, I believe when push involves shove, younger individuals and the American individuals perceive that there’s a very clear and historic distinction between the 2 and they’ll vote for Biden.
On if any strain from the administration will work so long as the U.S. continues to be offering funding and navy help to Israel
I believe we must always do every thing that we are able to. And in reality, there was some enchancment in humanitarian support stepping into Gaza, most likely due to the president placing strain on Netanyahu. However on the finish of the day, you already know, you’ll be able to criticize Netanyahu on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. After which on Thursday in the event you give him $10 billion in unfettered navy support, I believe all people is aware of what the story is.
