WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – Vermont Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders has asserted that the U.S.’ friendly ties with Saudi Arabia is wrong, blaming Riyadh for promoting "extremely radical Wahhabi doctrine” worldwide.
In his interview with The Intercept published, the former presidential candidate also stated that he does not consider Riyadh an ally because it supports terrorism.
"It is not just that many of the 9/11 bombers came from Saudi Arabia,” he said. "What I think is more significant is their … continuing to fund madrasas and to spread an extremely radical Wahhabi doctrine in many countries around the world. And they are funding these mosques, they’re funding the madrasas, and they are fomenting a lot of hatred.”
Sanders also noted the United States is "complicit" in the Zionist regime's occupation of Palestinian territories.
The Jewish member of the United States Congress calls himself a "strong defender of Israel” and remains an opponent of the worldwide Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions anti-Israeli movement.
"Certainly the United States is complicit, but it’s not to say … that Israel is the only party at fault,” he said.
Yet, he condemned Washington’s unfair approach to the Zionist-Palestinian conflict.
"In terms of Israeli-Palestinian relations, the United States has got to play a much more evenhanded role. Clearly that is not the case right now,” Sanders said.
The senator also responded "yes” when asked if the U.S. should reduce its aid to Tel Aviv worth at least $3 billion per annum, or U.S. arms sales to the occupying regime’s military, further asserting that Washington should help Palestinians build areas such as the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
"The U.S. funding plays a very important role, and I would love to see people in the Middle East sit down with the United States government and figure out how U.S. aid can bring people together, not just result in an arms war in that area. So I think there is extraordinary potential for the United States to help the Palestinian people rebuild Gaza and other areas. At the same time, demand that Israel, in their own interests in a way, work with other countries on environmental issues,” he said.
Trump has voiced strong support for Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while turning a blind eye to the Tel Aviv regime’s undermining of the so-called peace process.