Sen. Bernie Sanders called on Congress Tuesday not to approve more U.S. funding to Israel over what the Vermont independent called the Jewish state’s “grossly disproportionate” and “immoral” military response in Gaza that is “in violation of international law.”
Lawmakers are weighing more than $13 billion for the U.S. ally to continue its counteroffensive against the Hamas terrorist group in the densely populated enclave as part of a $110 billion national security package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. The legislation remains stalled over southern border policy negotiations.
“Enough is enough. Congress must reject that funding,” Mr. Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, said in a lengthy statement. “The taxpayers of the United States must no longer be complicit in destroying the lives of innocent men, women and children in Gaza.”
Although Jewish himself, Mr. Sanders has become increasingly critical of Israel’s response. He referenced the more than 22,000 Gaza residents whom the Palestinian Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, says have died from Israeli air strikes and other military operations. His accusation of violating international law mirrors that of other Israeli critics.
But unlike many progressives, Mr. Sanders has not called for a ceasefire, prompting blowback from supporters.
“We must understand that Israel’s war against the Palestinian people has been significantly waged with U.S. bombs, artillery shells and other forms of weaponry,” Mr. Sanders said. “The results have been catastrophic.”
The U.S. provides Israel with more than $3 billion annually in foreign aid to help defend itself against terror attacks.
Mr. Sanders labeled the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack against Israeli civilians “barbaric” but said that the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza “cannot be allowed to continue.”
“Since the start of the war, 1.9 million Palestinian men, women and children have been driven from their homes — 85% of the total population of Gaza,” Mr. Sanders said. “Today, not only are the vast majority of people in Gaza homeless, they lack food, water, medical supplies and fuel.”
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