Bernie Sanders Calls for Immediate Halt to US Military Aid to Israel
In a powerful and impassioned statement, US Senator Bernie Sanders has declared that the time has come for Congress to cease all military assistance to the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sanders, a prominent Jewish American lawmaker, argues that the Netanyahu administration's actions over the past three years constitute horrific and illegal behavior that the American people can no longer support.
A Personal Stand Against Injustice
Bernie Sanders begins by grounding his position in his personal history as the son of a Polish Jewish immigrant who fled antisemitism and poverty. He emphasizes that speaking out against Israel's policies is not antisemitic, but rather a moral imperative. "Speaking out against the horrific and inhumane actions of Israel, and its extremist leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, is not antisemitic," Sanders states. He insists that criticizing Israel's role in shaping US foreign and military policy is essential for every member of Congress and every American citizen.
The Devastation in Gaza
Sanders details the catastrophic impact of Israel's military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. While acknowledging Israel's right to defend itself, he condemns what he describes as violations of international law and a war of enormous destruction against the Palestinian people. Key points include:
- Over 72,000 Palestinians killed and more than 170,000 wounded, with the majority being women, children, and the elderly.
- Destruction of nearly all infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, electricity supply, and housing units, leaving most residents in tents.
- Demolition of all 12 universities and hundreds of schools, dismantling Gaza's entire educational system.
- Damage or destruction of 94% of hospitals and the killing of 1,700 healthcare workers.
- A blockade preventing essential supplies, leading to malnutrition and starvation deaths.
Sanders notes that despite a so-called ceasefire, humanitarian aid remains insufficient and civilian casualties continue.
Expansion into the West Bank and Beyond
The senator also highlights actions in the West Bank, where Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed 1,071 Palestinians, including 233 children, since October 2023. He reports the demolition of over 6,000 Palestinian homes and the establishment of more than 200 new illegal settlements. Sanders asserts that this is not merely the work of extremist settlers but official government policy, backed by Netanyahu's security cabinet and statements from officials like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Furthermore, Sanders accuses Netanyahu of influencing former President Donald Trump to initiate an unprovoked war on Iran, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths and global economic repercussions. He warns that Israel is now expanding its military operations into Lebanon, with threats to demolish border villages and reduce areas to rubble, mirroring tactics used in Gaza.
Growing American Opposition
Citing recent polling data, Sanders points to a significant shift in American public opinion. A Pew poll shows 80% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans now hold an unfavorable view of Israel, with even higher numbers among young people. A Quinnipiac poll finds that 60% of Americans, including three-quarters of Democrats and two-thirds of independents, oppose sending arms to Israel.
Legislative Action to Block Arms Sales
In response, Sanders announces his intention to force Senate votes on two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block specific arms sales to Israel:
- A resolution to halt the sale of $151.8 million in 1,000-pound bombs.
- A resolution to block $295 million in bulldozers, which Sanders describes as instruments of ethnic cleansing used to demolish homes and prevent a Palestinian state.
He urges his colleagues to support these measures, emphasizing that the time is long overdue for Congress to align with the will of the American people and end military aid to what he terms the extremist Netanyahu government.
Bernie Sanders serves as a US senator from Vermont and is the ranking member of the health, education, labor, and pensions committee.
