Meghan McCain, co-host of ABC’s “The View,” asked Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) if “anti-Israel rhetoric” coming from his “surrogates and supporters” has led to rising antisemitism.
During a June 23 segment on “The View,” McCain said that Sanders is a “vocal critic” of the Israeli government but acknowledges Israel’s right to exist. “But some of your surrogates and supporters have taken things in a different direction, calling Israel an ‘apartheid state,’ publicly pronouncing themselves as anti-Zionist, and implying that Israel is akin to terrorist organizations. Do you agree that this kind of extreme anti-Israel rhetoric—and I want to make it clear again, I am not talking about criticizing specific Israeli policies—has contributed to the rise in attacks against Jewish-Americans?” She added that she recently interviewed Joseph Borgen, who was attacked by a pro-Palestinian mob in May, who “is deeply dissatisfied with the response from Democrats.”
Sanders called antisemitism “a serious and growing problem” worldwide that needs to be fought against. He proceeded to call for an “even-handed” approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “We have to understand that in Gaza for example, you have 60% youth unemployment. You have a horrendous situation which was only made worse by the recent war. So, what I want to see is our country play an even-handed role, and I want to see the United States work with other countries to try to bring the Israelis and the Palestinians together to bring about some peace in that region.”
Later in the segment, McCain told Sanders that he is “The Godfather of the Squad,” referencing Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). “It feels like the Squad today has moved even to the left of you. How is it for you to stand by everything AOC, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar have said and done, particularly when it comes to Israel, and talking about from the river to the sea and the extermination of Israel as a right to exist, or do you think the movement which you started has moved away from what you envisioned?”
Sanders replied that he didn’t agree with McCain’s characterization of The Squad’s comments on Israel and that “it’s not my job to have to defend any member of Congress any more than it is their job to defend every statement that I make.” He went on to say that his focus is currently on how “the very rich in America have become much richer while working people are struggling.” Sanders also praised “the progressives in the House [of Representatives]” for “doing a very good job standing up for working families. It’s not my job to comment about everything that every member of the House says, any more than it is for them to comment on what I say.”
The Conspiracy Libel tweeted regarding McCain’s questions to Sanders, “Know how it’s done? Like this!”
Know how it’s done? Like this! pic.twitter.com/bJrkudvOrA
— Conspiracy Libel (@ConspiracyLibel) June 24, 2021
Quotes provided via transcript from Newsbusters.
