Bernie Sanders disagrees with Harris on Gaza, warns Netanyahu prefers Trump

Senator Bernie Sanders, while actively campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, has expressed growing frustration over the Biden-Harris approach to Gaza and the broader US-Israel relationship.

He stresses the importance of defeating former President Donald Trump, whom he sees as an even more dangerous ally for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Vermont independent, who has long championed progressive foreign policy, has been a leading voice in calling for a shift in US policy toward Israel and Palestine.

He has spoken out against the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in over 44,000 Palestinian deaths since October 7.

Bernie Sanders has called for an immediate ceasefire, an end to US military aid to Israel, and a shift in Washington’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In a video released last week, Bernie Sanders addressed voters' concerns, particularly those of younger, progressive, and Muslim-American voters who feel alienated by the Biden administration’s position.

The video, which has gone viral, was viewed by millions across social media platforms, including 4.7 million views on X (formerly Twitter).

“I understand your frustration,” Bernie Sanders said in the video. “I agree with you that the US should not continue its financial and military support for Netanyahu’s war against the Palestinian people. But I want to make two things clear. Number one: We will have a better chance of changing US policy with Kamala Harris in the White House than with Donald Trump. Trump is a close ally of Netanyahu, and his administration would make things worse. Number two: Politics is about more than one issue. If you care about climate change, women’s rights, or economic justice, you must vote for Harris."

While Bernie Sanders’ message was focused on encouraging support for Harris, despite his policy differences, he also took aim at the dangers of a potential Trump presidency, particularly regarding US-Israel relations.Bernie Sanders has long argued that Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu is far more dangerous for the future of Palestine and the Middle East.

Trump and Netanyahu: A “Dangerous Alliance”

“Donald Trump and his right-wing friends are worse,” Bernie Sanders said, warning that a Trump second term would embolden Netanyahu and strengthen the US-Israel alliance. Bernie Sanders highlighted Trump’s public support for Netanyahu, including Trump’s praise for Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza conflict and his claim that the Biden administration was “holding Netanyahu back.” Bernie Sanders also referenced Trump’s comments about the Gaza Strip, suggesting that it could be turned into beachfront property for development. “It’s no wonder that Netanyahu prefers having Trump in office,” Bernie Sanders added.

Political analysts in Israel have also expressed concern over the potential for a Trump-Netanyahu alliance to exacerbate tensions in the region. Some liberal Israeli commentators have speculated that such a relationship could empower Trump’s overt antisemitism and lead to even more extreme policies in the Middle East, further isolating Palestine and worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Bernie Sanders’ concern is shared by many Americans, particularly in key battleground states, where polls show that voters are increasingly unhappy with the US government’s handling of Gaza.

Bernie Sanders’ own encounters on the campaign trail reflect the growing discontent, particularly among younger voters who feel the Biden administration’s stance is out of step with their values.

During a visit to Millersville University in Pennsylvania in late October, Bernie Sanders shared that in a classroom of 100 students, “99 were opposed to sending more military support to Netanyahu.” This sentiment, Sanders believes, is shared by millions of voters across the country.

A “Moral Responsibility” to Act on Gaza

Despite his criticism of the Biden-Harris administration on this issue, Bernie Sanders remains a strong proponent of defeating Donald Trump. He believes that Harris, despite her positions on Israel, offers a better chance to pursue progressive policies on a range of issues, from climate change to economic inequality. Bernie Sanders has warned that a Trump presidency would set back progressive causes and worsen US foreign policy, particularly with regard to the Middle East.

In his video message, Bernie Sanders made it clear that he views Harris as the better option in the 2024 race, despite their policy differences on Gaza. “If you care about women’s rights, you have to vote for Harris. If you care about addressing the climate crisis, you have to vote for Harris. If you want to end the tax cuts for billionaires, you have to vote for Harris,” he said, stressing the importance of supporting the Democratic ticket to secure long-term progressive change.

Bernie Sanders has also announced plans to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval in Congress later this month, aiming to block US military weaponry sales to Israel. The resolution would mark another step in Bernie Sanders’ long-standing advocacy for a shift in US foreign policy towards the Middle East, with a particular focus on ensuring that US taxpayer dollars are not used to fund military actions that disproportionately harm civilians in Gaza.

“It’s a moral responsibility that we have to stand up for,” Bernie Sanders said in an interview. “We need to push for an immediate ceasefire, the return of all hostages, a surge of massive humanitarian aid, and the rebuilding of Gaza for the Palestinian people. I will continue to fight for these goals, and I believe we have a much better chance of making progress with Kamala Harris than with Donald Trump.”

Challenges Ahead, No Matter the Outcome

Bernie Sanders is realistic about the challenges ahead. He acknowledges that changing US policy on Israel and Palestine will be difficult, no matter who wins the 2024 election. However, he is determined to keep the pressure on, ensuring that whoever is in the White House will be held accountable for the US’s role in the conflict.

“If Kamala wins, we will push her administration to adopt a more balanced approach to Israel and Palestine,” Bernie Sanders said. “If Trump wins, we will continue the fight for justice, but we’ll be up against a government that is openly hostile to Palestinian rights and more aligned with Netanyahu’s far-right agenda.”