Bernie Sanders says Netanyahu is attacking campus protests to deflect war criticism : NPR

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is among the most high-profile Jewish officeholders in the US. He is additionally emerged as one of many fiercest critics of Israel’s ongoing struggle in Gaza. Sanders has urged the U.S. to finish monetary and navy help for Israel.

After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video on Wednesday criticizing ongoing campus protests throughout the U.S. as antisemitic, Sanders responded with a video of his personal, straight refuting the prime minister’s assertion.

In an interview with All Issues Thought-about, the unbiased lawmaker mentioned he felt the necessity to reply as a result of Netanyahu, in his thoughts, has tried “to deflect consideration from that horrendous actuality [of the Israel-Hamas war] to speak about antisemitism, to deflect away from what he’s doing,” in Gaza.

“In my opinion, and I believe the view of most Individuals now, Israel’s response has been grossly disproportionate,” Sanders advised NPR’s Scott Detrow. “Gaza has 2.2 million folks, largely very poor Palestinians. And over the past six months, 33,000 folks have been killed, 77,000 have been wounded, two thirds of whom are girls and youngsters.”

This interview has been calmly edited for size and readability.

In response to critics who argue that the extreme school protests are linked to a broader wave of rising antisemitism

Look, antisemitism has at all times existed. It exists in the present day. And also you’re proper, it’s getting worse. Islamophobia is getting worse. And we’re dwelling at a time when bigotry is on the rise. And I hope that each one of us condemn all types of bigotry, together with antisemitism.

However to recommend that when you might have a big majority of the American individuals who, amongst different issues, don’t wish to help extra U.S. navy help to Netanyahu’s struggle machine, we’re not going to recommend that each one of these persons are antisemitic.

The overwhelming majority of the people who find themselves protesting, who really feel strongly about this subject, don’t like Hamas. They perceive Hamas is a terrorist group and they aren’t antisemitic. They’re disgusted by what’s going on in Gaza proper now, which — amongst different issues, just isn’t solely, to my thoughts, immoral — it’s clearly unlawful. It’s breaking U.S. regulation. We shouldn’t be funding Netanyahu’s struggle machine.

In response to Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who posted on social media, “These ‘protests’ are antisemitic, unconscionable, and harmful. Add some tiki torches and it is Charlottesville for these Jewish college students.”

I strongly disagree with Sen. Fetterman. Once more, are there antisemites on this nation and on campus and at these protests? Completely. However I believe the overwhelming majority of people who find themselves protesting — and this isn’t simply school college students — ballot after ballot exhibits that the American persons are sick and bored with funding a struggle machine for a right-wing extremist authorities in Israel proper now that’s doing unprecedented hurt, I imply, simply disastrous hurt to the folks in Gaza and to their complete lifestyle.

You recognize, folks speak in regards to the day after, what occurs when this struggle ends. There’s not going to be a lot left in Gaza. 5 p.c of the inhabitants of Gaza, two-thirds of whom are girls and youngsters, have been killed or wounded. That’s what I believe is upsetting the American folks, and clearly all of us ought to condemn any type of antisemitism or pro-Hamas exercise.

On how involved he’s that the deep anger in regards to the president’s coverage on the struggle in Gaza amongst younger voters might preserve Biden from successful the election

I’m very involved. I imply, I believe not solely is supporting Netanyahu’s right-wing and racist authorities horrible coverage, I believe it’s extremely unhealthy politics. And I believe you are going to see not simply younger folks, not simply folks of coloration, however as you talked about, a big a part of the Democratic base, very, very upset in regards to the position the Democrats and the president are enjoying on this complete course of.

However then again, what I additionally consider is that given the selection between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the selection may be very clear and the American folks will perceive that. And that’s you might have a president who, for the primary time in American historical past, Biden, walked the picket line in protection of staff; [is] sturdy on local weather change. [Biden] understands, in contrast to Trump, that it’s girls who should management their very own our bodies, not native politicians. Who is knowing that local weather change is actual and has put more cash into preventing local weather change than any president in historical past.

So whereas I and I believe many tens of millions of persons are upset about Biden’s place on Gaza and the struggle there, I believe when push involves shove, younger folks and the American folks perceive that there’s a very clear and historic distinction between the 2 and they will vote for Biden.

On if any stress from the administration will work so long as the U.S. continues to be offering funding and navy help to Israel

I believe we should always do every little thing that we are able to. And actually, there was some enchancment in humanitarian help stepping into Gaza, most likely due to the president placing stress on Netanyahu. However on the finish of the day, you realize, you possibly can criticize Netanyahu on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. After which on Thursday when you give him $10 billion in unfettered navy help, I believe all people is aware of what the story is.