Former counterterrorism analyst Jonathan Schanzer discusses the dispatch of an Iranian warship to the Red Sea, the killing of a top Hamas leader by the Israeli military, and its impact on the war. Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has called on his congressional colleagues to reject the proposed $10 billion in military funding for Israel amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Sanders criticized Israel’s “grossly disproportionate” and “immoral” response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas terrorists and urged Congress to reconsider providing “unconditional military aid” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “right-wing government.”
In a statement, Sanders highlighted the devastating consequences of the conflict, with over 22,000 people killed in Gaza and Israel since the start of the war. He emphasized the significant role played by U.S. weaponry in Israel’s military response and raised concerns about the violation of international law. Sanders also expressed his distress over the civilian casualties, with thousands wounded and many others suffering at the hands of Hamas.
Sanders cited alarming statistics, stating that an estimated 57,000 Palestinians have been injured, and 85% of Gaza’s total population has been displaced from their homes. He referenced a UN report highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with half of the population at risk of starvation and widespread scarcity of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel. Sanders argued that it is imperative to address this humanitarian disaster and ensure the well-being of innocent men, women, and children.
The proposed military aid for Israel is part of an emergency foreign aid package that also includes funding for Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific region, and U.S. border security. Sanders believes that U.S. taxpayers should not be complicit in the destruction wrought upon innocent lives in Gaza and calls on Congress to reject the allocation of funds for Israel’s military efforts.
Sanders has been vocal in his opposition to the emergency foreign aid package, being the sole member of the Democratic caucus to vote against advancing the $110 billion package, which includes $10.1 billion for Israel. In a letter to his Senate Democratic Caucus colleagues and President Biden, he condemned the Netanyahu government’s military strategy, labeling it immoral and in violation of international law. Sanders warned that Israel’s actions in Gaza will be remembered as a “mass atrocity” and compared the destruction in Gaza to the bombings in Dresden and Japanese cities during World War II.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, Sanders’ plea to Congress to reconsider military funding for Israel highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the United States’ involvement and its commitment to international law and humanitarian values. The senator’s stance challenges the current narrative and raises important questions about the long-term consequences of the conflict on innocent civilians and the region as a whole.
