Sanders Says $3.8B in Annual US Military Aid to Israel Should Be Leveraged to End Horrific

[Autumn]

Treatment of Palestinians

"We have a right to say to the Israeli government that the United States of America and our taxpayers and our people believe in human rights, we believe in democracy, we will not accept authoritarianism or racism."
byJake Johnson, staff writer

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/29/sanders-says-38b-annual-us-military-aid-israel-should-be-leveraged-end-horrific

Speaking at a conference Monday hosted by the liberal-leaning Jewish organization J Street, Sen. Bernie Sanders expressed support for leveraging billions of dollars in annual U.S. military aid to stop Israel's horrific treatment and occupation of the Palestinian people.

"My solution is to say to Israel: You get $3.8 billion every single year. If you want military aid you're going to have to fundamentally change your relationship to the people of Gaza," said Sanders, who is vying to become the first Jewish president in U.S. history.

The Vermont senator also took aim at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he said is pursuing a racist and authoritarian agenda.

"It is not anti-Semitism to say that the Netanyahu government has been racist," Sanders said to applause. "That's a fact."

Link to tweet

[RainCaster]

1. He may have touched the third rail with that one

While I like the idea, and have suggested it in conversation myself, it is not a popular concept to evangelicals or those of Jewish faith.

[Autumn]

6. Evangelical's in my opinion don't matter, they won't vote for any Dem and I don't know

a single Jewish American who doesn't think the same thing. Bernie is of the Jewish faith and it's his opinion, a damn good one at that.

[TheRickles]

7. Third rail

Political action groups like AIPAC may be upset by Sanders' comments, but many American Jews have long opposed Netanyahus policies and will be glad that one of the Dem candidates has spoken out so clearly and forcefully. I haven't seen a recent poll to know the exact percentages, but prior surveys have shown big pluralities if not a majority of American Jews favoring humane treatment of Palestinians.

Perhaps someone out there has a link to a recent poll....

[HerbChestnut]

2. Good idea.

If countries want our economic/military aid, they need to uphold certain human rights standards.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

3. Absolutely!! Good for Bernie... leading Democrats in the right direction again!!

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[TexasTowelie]

4. How is this any different than what Trump is doing with Ukraine?

It looks like quid quo pro to me.

[OldRed2450]

5. Bernie is not leveraging aid to help himself.

That is what the difference is. Look, I do not support Bernie but this is not something he should be criticized for. Netanyahu has been ultra cruel to the Palestinians.

[Autumn]

8. What favor is Bernie getting? quid quo pro is "a favour for a favour"

How is this a favor when it's just the right thing to do?

TexasTowelie

4. How is this any different than what Trump is doing with Ukraine?
View profile
It looks like quid quo pro to me.

[Kurt V.]

10. with this logic, obama did the same quid pro quo in Ukraine with that prosecutor?

[Kurt V.]

9. K&R

[Nanjeanne]

11. As a Jew - these were the words I have longed to hear. I'm so glad we have a politician with the

guts to say them.

[DavidDvorkin]

12. Fair enough, as long as he also pressures the Palestinian leadership

to stop rocket and other terrorist attacks into Israel.

[Uncle Joe]

13. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread Autumn.

[question everything]

14. One would think that Sanders, like all politicians should know that foreign aid is conditioned

Most aid is being sent back to this country to purchase items manufactured in this country. Yes, mostly military but if one wants to stop manufacturing all military material this is a different topic.

One may want to follow Trump and to withdraw completely from the Middle East. But as long as this country is involved, military cooperation with Israel has been priceless. Especially during the Soviet Union involvement in the area, whenever Israel got hold of Soviet military information, as when a Soviet pilot defected with his MIG aircraft, American intelligence were invited to take a look.

The ports of Israel are important for the Sixth Fleet (or whoever patrols there).

But not only military. This is a favorite example of mine: during the Clinton administration, the Israeli airline El Al was in the market for new aircraft. It looked at both Airbus and Boeing. The administration pressured and the deal went to Boeing.

And, BTW, this, demand that recipients of foreign aid send some of this back is valid for all countries.

But, of course, for a Jew to criticize Israel should earn him a point, or two, I suppose. I am sure Omar is grateful.

[Autumn]

15. I imagine Sanders does know that foreign aid is conditioned... since he was talking about

a couple of conditions he would like to see added to the aid Isreal receives from our tax dollars.