(PatriotPostNews.com) – Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders made a stark declaration this weekend, saying that the United States should avoid funding Israel “another nickel” in its ongoing war against Hamas.
The Jewish lawmaker made the comments during an interview on Sunday, May 12, bluntly accusing Israel of having “broken international law” as well as “American law.” Sanders said that, because of such violations, the Jewish nation and long-time ally of the United States “does not deserve another nickel” from the American government to fund its current military efforts.
Tensions have run high in Congress and among the American public since the tragic Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023, which killed more than a thousand innocents in Israel and kidnapped hundreds more. While the Palestinian terrorist group has been consistently denounced for its actions, division has only increased as Israel controversially responds to the massacre with intense attacks that have caused severe casualties in the Gaza Strip.
During Sunday’s interview, Sanders described Hamas as a “disgusting terrorist organization” which is responsible for having “beg[un] this war.” However, he added, Israel’s military response in the seven months that followed the tragic massacre has launched a battle “not just” with Hamas but in opposition to “the entire Palestinian people.”
Israel vowed in October to destroy the terrorist group and has stated that its military strikes—which have killed more than 30,000 civilians and displaced thousands more—were enacted with that motivation. Sanders pointed out that, of the thousands dead and more than 70,000 injured in the strikes, at least two-thirds of the victims are women and children. He maintained that this is “not the way” to fight a war.”
The senator’s comments come amid heightened tension between world leaders as Israel has not backed down on its plan to launch a full-scale attack on the Gaza city of Rafah, where thousands of civilians have taken refuge. Despite support for the Jewish nation and condemnation of terrorism, the Biden administration has warned Israel not to escalate the war or cause negligent casualties.
Last week, President Joe Biden announced he would not be providing weapons to the American ally that would be used in the planned attack on Rafah.
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