Bernie Sanders
U.S. presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says while he is “not anti-Israel,” America “cannot just be pro-Israel, pro-Israel, pro-Israel,” but has to be “pro-region.”
The text mentioned that “the policy of the United States should be to preserve conditions conducive to a negotiated two-state solution.”
“The two parties discussed the Trump administration’s ... destructive policies that undermine the prospects of peace and the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights to freedom,” in addition to the rejection of a U.S. visa for Ashrawi, according to a statement by the PLO.
“I am not anti-Israel. But the fact of the matter is [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is a right-wing politician who I think is treating the Palestinian people extremely unfairly,” said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during a town hall hosted by CNN.
“In a conversation on Facebook, I used some language that I see now was insensitive. Issues of allegiance and loyalty to one’s country come with painful history,” said Belén Sisa, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s national deputy press secretary.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s campaign manager Faiz Shakir and foreign-policy adviser Matthew Duss have been accused of furthering anti-Semitic conspiracy theories during their tenure at the left-wing think-tank Center for American Progress.
Leaning towards the far-left fringes, which has appealed to younger voters, he has criticized Israeli actions against the Palestinians in Gaza, though recognizes the Jewish state’s right to defend itself.
The proposed anti-BDS legislation is one of four bills combined into one: the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act.
Many worry that the leftward shift among Democrats in their opposition to Trump during this election season may bring the party closer towards the anti-Israel views found on the party’s far-left, as exemplified by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The primary victory of Ocasio-Cortez over Crowley may represent a broader shift in the Democratic Party towards the more progressive wing championed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has strongly condemned Israel’s actions in recent months.
“Instead of applauding Israel for its actions, Israel should be condemned. Israel has a right to security, but shooting unarmed protesters is not what it is about,” said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
