[Washington Examiner] Sen. Bernie Sanders said if the U.S. wants help bring peace to the Middle East, it cannot prioritize the wants and needs of Israel over all else.The 2020 presidential candidate, who is Jewish, said the tensions between Israel and Palestinians have become worse under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I lived in Israel … I have family in Israel. I am Jewish. I am not anti-Israel. I believe that the people of Israel have absolutely the right to live in peace, independence, and security. End of discussion, that is what I fervently believe. But I think what has happened is in recent years under Netanyahu, you have an extreme right-wing government with many racist tendencies," Sanders told the "Pod Save America" podcast.
He also took shots at the Trump administration's overtures to Israel, which includes moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, potentially putting at risk peace negotiations with the Palestinians.
"Our policy cannot just be pro-Israel, pro-Israel, pro-Israel. It has got to be pro-region, working with all of the people, all of the countries in that area," he said, adding that Palestinians deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Sadly, we so seldom see wife Jane these days.Sanders also said he would "absolutely" consider using the billions of dollars in military aid it sends to Israel each year as leverage to force the Israeli government to act differently.