Sen. Bernie Sanders, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, speaks during the 2019 J Street National Conference at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on October 28, 2019. (Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Sanders Says $3.8B in Annual US Military Aid to Israel Should Be Leveraged to End Horrific Treatment of Palestinians
"We have a right to say to the Israeli government that the United States of America and our taxpayers and our people believe in human rights, we believe in democracy, we will not accept authoritarianism or racism."
Speaking at a conference Monday hosted by the liberal-leaning Jewish organization J Street, Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed support for leveraging billions of dollars in annual U.S. military aid to stop Israel's horrific treatment and occupation of the Palestinian people.
"My solution is to say to Israel: You get $3.8 billion every single year. If you want military aid you're going to have to fundamentally change your relationship to the people of Gaza," said Sanders, who is vying to become the first Jewish president in U.S. history.
"In fact," Sanders added, "I think it is fair to say that some of that $3.8 billion should go right now into humanitarian aid in Gaza."
The Vermont senator also took aim at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he said is pursuing a racist and authoritarian agenda.
"It is not anti-Semitism to say that the Netanyahu government has been racist," Sanders said to applause. "That's a fact."
"We have a right to say to the Israeli government that the U.S. and our taxpayers believe in human rights and democracy and we will not accept authoritarianism or racism," said the senator.
Watch Sanders' full appearance at the J Street conference:
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Speaking at a conference Monday hosted by the liberal-leaning Jewish organization J Street, Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed support for leveraging billions of dollars in annual U.S. military aid to stop Israel's horrific treatment and occupation of the Palestinian people.
"My solution is to say to Israel: You get $3.8 billion every single year. If you want military aid you're going to have to fundamentally change your relationship to the people of Gaza," said Sanders, who is vying to become the first Jewish president in U.S. history.
"In fact," Sanders added, "I think it is fair to say that some of that $3.8 billion should go right now into humanitarian aid in Gaza."
The Vermont senator also took aim at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he said is pursuing a racist and authoritarian agenda.
"It is not anti-Semitism to say that the Netanyahu government has been racist," Sanders said to applause. "That's a fact."
"We have a right to say to the Israeli government that the U.S. and our taxpayers believe in human rights and democracy and we will not accept authoritarianism or racism," said the senator.
Watch Sanders' full appearance at the J Street conference:
- Rights Groups Tell Pentagon Chief to Withhold Military Aid to Israel ›
- Once Again, Biden Bypasses Congress to Approve Arms Sale to Israel ›
- Sanders Says No More US Money for 'Grossly Disproportionate' Israeli War on Gaza ›
- Sanders to Force Senate Vote on Probing Israeli War Crimes ›
- 'Obscene': Biden Quietly OKs More 2,000-Pound Bombs, Warplanes for Israel ›
Speaking at a conference Monday hosted by the liberal-leaning Jewish organization J Street, Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed support for leveraging billions of dollars in annual U.S. military aid to stop Israel's horrific treatment and occupation of the Palestinian people.
"My solution is to say to Israel: You get $3.8 billion every single year. If you want military aid you're going to have to fundamentally change your relationship to the people of Gaza," said Sanders, who is vying to become the first Jewish president in U.S. history.
"In fact," Sanders added, "I think it is fair to say that some of that $3.8 billion should go right now into humanitarian aid in Gaza."
The Vermont senator also took aim at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he said is pursuing a racist and authoritarian agenda.
"It is not anti-Semitism to say that the Netanyahu government has been racist," Sanders said to applause. "That's a fact."
"We have a right to say to the Israeli government that the U.S. and our taxpayers believe in human rights and democracy and we will not accept authoritarianism or racism," said the senator.
Watch Sanders' full appearance at the J Street conference:
- Rights Groups Tell Pentagon Chief to Withhold Military Aid to Israel ›
- Once Again, Biden Bypasses Congress to Approve Arms Sale to Israel ›
- Sanders Says No More US Money for 'Grossly Disproportionate' Israeli War on Gaza ›
- Sanders to Force Senate Vote on Probing Israeli War Crimes ›
- 'Obscene': Biden Quietly OKs More 2,000-Pound Bombs, Warplanes for Israel ›