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Sanders Calls for Part of US Military Aid to Israel to Go to Gaza

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October 29, 2019
PLYMOUTH, NH – SEPTEMBER 29: Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks during his event at Plymouth State University on September 29, 2019 in Plymouth, New Hampshire. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Oct. 28 part of the military aid the United States provides to Israel should be diverted to the Gaza Strip, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) reports.

Speaking during J Street’s annual conference, Sanders said he would tell Israel as president, “If you want military aid, you’re going to have to fundamentally change your relationship to the people of Gaza. I would say that some of that $3.8 billion should go right now to humanitarian aid in Gaza.” Sanders’ answer resulted in applause, according to JTA.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center criticized Sanders for his remark in a tweet.

“@BernieSanders demand that aid to Israel defending Jewish state from genocidal Iran + terrorists should be diverted to Hamas-run Gaza – beyond the pale,” they wrote. “What’s next? $$$ to [ISIS]?”

Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley similarly tweeted, “[Sanders] wants to take money we give to Israel to defend itself from terrorists, and give it to Gaza, which is run by terrorists?? Unreal. Why isn’t every other [Democratic presidential] candidate saying he’s wrong?”

Sanders also said during his J Street speech that it is “a fact” to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration “racist,” but he did acknowledge that “there has been corruption in terms of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority,” according to Jewish News Syndicate.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) similarly said during an Oct. 19 campaign event that “everything’s on the table” when it comes to potentially freezing aid to Israel to stop the government from increasing the building of settlements.

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