Staff Reports
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, is calling on President Joe Biden to reconsider his approach to Israel, while cautioning young progressives against demanding too much of the president. Sanders, who aligns with the Democratic party, stressed the need to hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accountable for his government’s actions without being labeled as anti-Semitic. He also expressed support for pro-Palestinian protests at colleges, but condemned any violence and anti-Semitic behavior associated with them.
Sanders also warned young progressives about the potential consequences of pushing Biden too far, pointing out that the alternative could be a return to Donald Trump’s presidency. He emphasized that while they may disagree with Biden on certain issues, Trump’s policies and attitudes are even less aligned with their values.
Sen. Bernie Sanders says Biden was right to condemn hate and violence at pro-Gaza protests, but draws a distinction with those there “for the right reasons”:
“They are out there not because they are pro-Hamas…They are outraged by what Israeli government is now doing in Gaza.” pic.twitter.com/of07dtaRDk
— The Recount (@therecount) May 2, 2024
In an interview with USA Today, Sanders suggested that Biden should tie financial aid to Israel to specific conditions, such as increasing humanitarian aid, ending potential famine, and addressing the actions of Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Meanwhile, President Biden emphasized that while peaceful protests are a right, causing chaos and engaging in vandalism is not acceptable. He reaffirmed his commitment to his policies on Israel and his reluctance to engage the National Guard in handling campus protests.
This debate highlights the tension between progressive demands for more aggressive action on Israel and the challenges faced by the Biden administration in balancing domestic and foreign policy priorities.
