Bernie Sanders calls Netanyahu govt 'right-wing racist'

United States Senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders on Monday branded the Israeli government as "right-wing racist".

The Jewish senator from Vermont says he is "100 per cent pro Israel", during a CNN Town Hall, and that he will maintain a strong US-Israel alliance despite criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Sanders said he is "not anti-Israel" - nor does he oppose sending military aid to the Jewish State - but feels Netanyahu's policies don't help to advance peace.

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“I am not anti-Israel but the fact of the matter is that Netanyahu is a right-wing politician who, I think, is treating the Palestinian people extremely unfairly,” Sanders said with the audience applauding him.


“So what I believe is the United States gives billions of dollars in military aid to Israel. What I believe is not radical. I just believe that the United States should deal with the Middle East on a level playing field basis. In other words, the goal must be to try to bring people together and not just support one country, which is now run by a right-wing, dare I say, racist government,” he added.