(Patriot.Buzz) – In a decisive attack against a key U.S. ally, Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont made it clear that contrary to most Americans, he believes Israel should halt its military actions to continue receiving U.S. financial assistance for its defense.
Sanders criticized the “extreme right-wing” government of Israel for its aggressive actions towards Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.
While Sanders remained noncommittal on his vote regarding the Republican-endorsed bill to allocate $14.3 billion to Israel for its defense against Hamas, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist group, he underscored the need for Israel to reassess its military approach.
In his remarks on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Sanders called for Israel to consider a change in its military strategy as a condition for U.S. funding.
He highlighted the circumstances of the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza, where a severe economic crisis has led to high youth unemployment and widespread poverty.
Sanders accused the Netanyahu government of fostering conditions adverse to a two-state solution, particularly by its actions in the West Bank.
The senator advocated for a two-state solution and called upon Israel, alongside affluent Middle Eastern nations like Qatar, to offer “hope, decency, and freedom” to Palestinians.
The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 was recently passed in the House with a vote of 226-196. This legislation, primarily opposed by Democrats, is designed to divert funds from the Internal Revenue Service to replenish Israel’s military supplies and finance the development of new air defense systems.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled the bill as insincere and accused it of politicizing aid to Israel. Conversely, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell objected to the bill for not including support for Ukraine or Taiwan.
The White House has signaled a veto threat against the bill, citing the absence of aid for the mentioned nations.
Alongside his support for Israel’s right to self-defense, Sanders stated his opposition to a ceasefire in the region.
He argued that such a move would give Hamas, a group committed to Israel’s destruction, an opportunity for further aggression.
Sanders concluded by urging an immediate cessation of hostilities and calling for international cooperation to achieve a two-state solution, providing Palestinians with a sense of hope for the future.
