Senator Bernie Sanders: 'It would be irresponsible for the US to give Netanyahu another $10 billion'
US Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders stated, "It would be irresponsible for the US to provide Netanyahu with another $10 billion to continue this horrific war."
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According to a report by The Hill, Sanders spoke on the CBS program "Face the Nation."
Pointing to the thousands of civilians killed during Israel's attacks on Gaza, Sanders said, "It would be irresponsible for the US to provide Netanyahu with another $10 billion to continue this horrific war."
Stating that 1.9 million displaced people in Gaza are struggling without any food or medical supplies, Sanders emphasized that no additional aid should be provided to Israel without conditions set for the protection of civilians.
Describing the situation in Gaza as a "humanitarian catastrophe," Sanders assessed that "The US must use all the leverage it has to tell Netanyahu to stop this military approach."
NETANYAHU'S GOAL IS UNCLEAR
Senator Sanders reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself, but does not have the right to wage war against civilians in Gaza.
Furthermore, Sanders said that Netanyahu's goal regarding Gaza is unclear.
BUDGET REQUEST WAS REJECTED IN THE SENATE
US President Joe Biden's $105 billion budget request, which included aid to Israel and Ukraine, was rejected in the Senate on December 7.
Sanders, who usually votes with the Democrats but sided with the Republicans in this vote, had stated that the reason for his rejection was the aid to be provided to Israel.
In a written statement, Sanders expressed his opposition to giving billions of dollars unconditionally to the Netanyahu administration, saying, "Israel certainly has the right to defend itself against Hamas, which launched an attack on October 7. However, it has no legal or moral right to kill thousands of innocent Palestinian men, women, and children."