Bernie Sanders accuses Israel of a ‘serious violation of international law’ and calls for ‘restraint from Israeli forces attacking Gaza’
- Sanders said Gaza has become an “open-air prison.”
- He said that “attacking civilians is a war crime no matter who does it.”
Bernie Sanders accused Israel of a serious violation of international law for cutting off electricity and food supplies to Gaza.
In a statement after the horrific attack on Israel launched from Gaza by terror group Hamas, the democratic socialist senator said the area had been turned into an “open-air prison.”
His comments came amid a backlash against left-wing Democrats who labeled Israel an apartheid state and called on the US to stop funding its ally.
Sanders said: “Attacking civilians is a war crime, no matter who does it. Israel’s blanket denial of food, water and other necessities to Gaza is a serious violation of international law and will do nothing but harm innocent civilians.”
Bernie Sanders will speak on October 11, 2023
It came after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a “full siege” on Gaza.
He said: ‘We fight against human animals and act accordingly. There will be no electricity, no food, no water. No fuel.”
On Saturday, Hamas launched a brutal attack, killing hundreds of Israeli men, women and children and killing at least 27 Americans.
Sanders called Hamas’ attack “heinous.”
He added that it was a “major setback for all hope and peace in the region – and justice for the Palestinian people.”
The 82-year-old Democratic senator added: “It is no secret to many that Gaza has been an open-air prison, where millions of people struggle to meet their basic needs.
“Hamas” terrorism will make it much more difficult to address this tragic reality and will embolden extremists on both sides, perpetuating the cycle of violence.”
Bernie Sanders addresses students on October 11, 2023
He said the United States had “rightly offered solidarity and support to Israel,” but said that “we must also insist on restraint from Israeli forces attacking Gaza and work to secure U.N. humanitarian access.”
Sanders added: “Let’s not forget that half of the two million people in Gaza are children. Children and innocent people do not deserve to be punished for the actions of Hamas.”
It came after two members of the left-wing ‘Squad’ in Congress were heavily criticized by members of their own party for ‘sickening’ calls to cut US aid to Israel following the Hamas attack.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (R-MI) leaves the U.S. Capitol on September 29, 2023
Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat of Palestinian descent, said “dehumanizing conditions” in Gaza had led to “resistance.”
Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush called for “an end to the U.S. government’s support for the Israeli military occupation and apartheid.”
Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, denounced Tlaib and Bush’s comments.
He said, “It sickens me that while Israelis are cleaning up the blood of their relatives shot in their homes, they feel Congress should strip American funding from our democratic ally and let innocent civilians suffer.”
