Sanders: Zionist PM Netanyahu a ‘Reactionary Racist’
WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders says Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a "reactionary racist.”
Sanders made the remarks at the 10th Democratic presidential debate in Charleston, South Carolina, after he was asked a question about criticism from some fellow Jews who say he is not supportive enough of the Zionist regime.
"I’m very proud of being Jewish. I actually lived in Israel for some months. But what I happen to believe is that right now, sadly, tragically, in Israel, through Bibi Netanyahu, you have a reactionary racist who is now running that country,” Sanders said.
Sanders said in a tweet on Sunday that he would not be attending the annual AIPAC conference, accusing the pro-Zionist lobbying group of providing a platform to "leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.”
An AIPAC spokesman fired back at Sanders’ comments, saying in a statement that the senator "has never attended our conference and that is evident from his outrageous comment.”
Sanders is the second Democratic presidential candidate to say he will not be attending the AIPAC conference, which will take place in Washington on March 1-4. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren also said earlier this month that she would not attend.
This is not the first time that Sanders has condemned the Zionist regime’s policies against the Palestinian people. He has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu and has advocated for Palestinian rights.
During a town hall meeting last week in Nevada, Sanders pointed to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
"To be for the Israeli people and to be for peace in the Middle East does not mean that we have to support right-wing, racist governments that currently exist in Israel.”
Sanders has also been a relentless critic of Trump, repeatedly calling him a liar and the "most dangerous president” in U.S. history.
As an independent senator from Vermont, Sanders has become the clear frontrunner in the Democratic presidential race after strong showings in the first three nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.
Sanders made the remarks at the 10th Democratic presidential debate in Charleston, South Carolina, after he was asked a question about criticism from some fellow Jews who say he is not supportive enough of the Zionist regime.
"I’m very proud of being Jewish. I actually lived in Israel for some months. But what I happen to believe is that right now, sadly, tragically, in Israel, through Bibi Netanyahu, you have a reactionary racist who is now running that country,” Sanders said.
Sanders said in a tweet on Sunday that he would not be attending the annual AIPAC conference, accusing the pro-Zionist lobbying group of providing a platform to "leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.”
An AIPAC spokesman fired back at Sanders’ comments, saying in a statement that the senator "has never attended our conference and that is evident from his outrageous comment.”
Sanders is the second Democratic presidential candidate to say he will not be attending the AIPAC conference, which will take place in Washington on March 1-4. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren also said earlier this month that she would not attend.
This is not the first time that Sanders has condemned the Zionist regime’s policies against the Palestinian people. He has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu and has advocated for Palestinian rights.
During a town hall meeting last week in Nevada, Sanders pointed to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
"To be for the Israeli people and to be for peace in the Middle East does not mean that we have to support right-wing, racist governments that currently exist in Israel.”
Sanders has also been a relentless critic of Trump, repeatedly calling him a liar and the "most dangerous president” in U.S. history.
As an independent senator from Vermont, Sanders has become the clear frontrunner in the Democratic presidential race after strong showings in the first three nominating contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.