Highlights: Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday the United States should use aid to Israel as leverage to force its government to change its approach.
“If you want this money, you got to change your military strategy, Sanders (I-Vt.) said on CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked about a possible aid package for Israel to be considered by the Senate.
But the two senators who followed Sanders on that program were much more concerned about what Iran might be up to than what Israel is doing. Sanders condemned both Hamas (“an awful terrorist organization”) and the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (whom he hopes will be voted out), calling for a two-state solution to the intractable crisis but not specifying how to create a path forward without Hamas, Netanyahu or war.
While decrying empty slogans on both sides of the conflict, Sanders also declined to endorse or condemn Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-Mich.) criticism of President Joe Biden — she accused him of supporting “genocide” — even as he said attention needed to be paid to the rhetoric of Republicans on the subject, citing former President Donald Trump.
“If anyone thinks that Trump is going to be better than Biden on this issue or any other issue, for that matter, I think they are sorely mistaken,” he said.
Bernie is the leader we need, but don’t deserve.
I’m still mad he’s basically guaranteed to lose primaries, even when the DNC was publicly exposed for doing exactly that.
He still refuses to call what Israel is doing a genocide. He is weak.
He’s been a politician for 40+ years, and he’s still likely the most honest and consistent senator we’ve ever had. But he’s still a politician, and he has to play the game.
The unfortunate political reality in the US is that Bernie’s career would have ended decades ago if he just came out and said his feelings on subjects that will kill your political career forever.
I prefer a Bernie that can do great things in the Senate for 4+ decades to, “honest to a fault about unpopular opinions”-Bernie that serves one term as Mayor of Burlington, then gets voted out and becomes an insurance salesman or whatever.
It’s called diplomacy. People that want to convince people to work with them often have to use it
Holy weasel words, Batman! REALLY working hard to make it sound like Bernie’s a clueless hypocrite and Tlaib is an evil liar for her speaking truth to power and him not condemning her for it like all the lickspittles are 🤦
but not specifying how to create a path forward without Hamas, Netanyahu or war.
Unfortunately this is exactly what is actually needed.
Everyone knows what the „international public“ does not want: Civilian deaths
No one seems to know how to actually do it.
Finally you say something positive and productive. I didn’t think you had it in you, but I am pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. Hopefully you can continue this trend into the future.
A true mensch that one.
I appreciate this kind of honesty with the current situation. There are cultural and border differences abound in this world, and things will only get worse once resources become more scarce. Regardless of ideology, people need to work together to survive.
@jeffw He took 800,000 bucks from arms manufacturers in 2020.
