Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) joined the chorus of left-wing Israel bashers by accusing the Jewish state of committing war crimes and violating international law for retaliating against Hamas terrorists.
The twice-failed Democrat presidential candidate is none too happy about Operation Iron Swords, the operation to clean the terrorists out of Gaza once and for all after the barbaric massacre of over 1,000 Israeli citizens over the weekend.
On Wednesday, Sanders, an 82-year-old avowed socialist and inspirational leader for the pack of left-wing Democrats known as “The Squad,” issued a lengthy statement in which to his credit, he condemned the Palestinian group’s “terrorism” by calling it what it is, but he also assailed Israel which he suggested is guilty of war crimes.
My statement on the continuing violence in Israel and Gaza. pic.twitter.com/WE4o5a6rLl — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 11, 2023
“Hamas’ terrorist assault on Israel will have horrific short- and long-term consequences,” Sanders said in a statement. “As a result of this attack, thousands of Israelis and Palestinians – including many women and children – have been killed and injured. That toll will rise. The gunning down of young Israelis at a music festival is an image the world will not soon forget.”
Calling the murderous attacks a “major setback for any hope of peace and reconciliation in the region – and justice for the Palestinian people,” Sanders tossed out the talking point that even under the best of circumstances, Gaza is little more than “an open-air prison, with millions of people struggling to secure basic necessities.”
“Hamas’ terrorism will make it much more difficult to address that tragic reality and will embolden extremists on both sides, continuing the cycle of violence,” the senator added, setting the stage for his attack on Israel.
“Right now, the international community must focus on reducing humanitarian suffering and protecting innocent people on both sides of this conflict,” he said. “The targeting of 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.”
“The United States has rightly offered solidarity and support to Israel in responding to Hamas’ attack. But we must also insist on restraint from Israeli forces attacking Gaza and work to secure UN humanitarian access. Let us 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 acts of Hamas,” Sanders concluded.
Despite his political setbacks as a presidential hopeful, Sanders remains a powerful influence with his most devoted followers, many of them members of the Democratic Socialists of America, an organization that engaged in a vile pro-Hamas protest in New York City after Israel was attacked, an ugly display that was condemned as “abhorrent and morally repugnant” by Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul.
While many Democrats have been calling for the deeply unpopular and flailing President Joe Biden to be replaced as the Democrat party’s nominee next year, Sanders has shown little desire to throw his hat into the ring and risk becoming a three-time loser.