Senator Bernie Sanders in his X video address (video snippet)

Sanders Promises Major U.S. Policy Shift on Israel Under Harris

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The Judean Staff
International

In a pointed social media address, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders — a self-identified democratic socialist and prominent advocate for leftist policies — pledged that a Kamala Harris administration would bring a seismic change to U.S. policy toward Israel. Sanders' remarks suggested an intent to reverse longstanding American stances, highlighting plans for a forceful Gaza ceasefire, expanded aid flows, and reconstruction of Gaza — with no mention of the militant terrorism targeting Israeli civilians.

The senator outlined his vision for what he described as a "transformative shift" in U.S. foreign policy toward Israel. This new direction would mandate a Gaza ceasefire, increase humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave, and prioritize Palestinian infrastructure over Israeli security needs. Sanders’ speech notably omitted any acknowledgment of the asymmetric nature of violence in the region, where Palestinian terror attacks on Israeli civilians in Judea and Samaria vastly outnumber Jewish retaliatory actions. Sanders also did not clarify his stance on the future of Hamas or the conditions of hostages after a potential Israeli withdrawal, leaving open questions about his position on Hamas' role and whether the hostages held by the group would even be alive.

A Strained Relationship with Netanyahu and the Israeli Right

In his video message, Sanders took direct aim at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, blaming him for the current humanitarian crisis. Sanders confidently asserted that Harris, whom he enthusiastically supports, would “do everything she can to transform U.S. policy toward Netanyahu,” suggesting that this policy overhaul would shift American priorities from Israel’s security to humanitarian concerns for Gaza — a move Sanders and some of his followers feel is long overdue. By singling out Netanyahu, Sanders revealed the politically charged undercurrents driving his calls for change, contrasting sharply with the positive legacy of former President Donald Trump, who forged the Abraham Accords, achieving normalization between Israel and multiple Arab states.

Challenging the Biden Administration’s Stance on Gaza

Sanders expressed frustration with the Biden administration's support for Israel's military response against Hamas, a war prompted by Hamas' brutal October 7 attack, which left 1,200 Israeli civilians dead, over 5,000 wounded, and led to the abduction of approximately 250 Israelis. Despite Sanders’ calls for a ceasefire, he refrained from acknowledging Hamas' responsibility in inciting this conflict. Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza, estimated at 43,000 by the Hamas-run health ministry, has been amplified in media, often without separating civilian deaths from militant casualties. Independent sources, however, suggest that as many as 25,000 of these fatalities were Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives.

Ironically, while Hamas claims "genocide," Gaza’s birth rate remains significant, with approximately 30,000 births reported since the conflict began, underscoring the complexity and disparity in reported narratives from the enclave and the role that public figures, like Sanders have in perpetuating disinformation.

Sanders and the Fear of a Trump Presidency

Pivoting to domestic concerns, Sanders warned that a Donald Trump presidency would only deepen the U.S.-Israel alliance under right-wing leadership, stalling progress on critical left-wing issues like climate change and gender rights. Sanders neglected to address controversies from within his own camp regarding the redefinition of women's rights, where biological males identifying as females, such as swimmer William “Lia” Thomas, have dominated women’s sports under current administration policies. Trump, by contrast, has emphasized an unyielding support for Israel, even suggesting that Gaza could be redeveloped as "prime beachfront property" post-terrorism — a view that Netanyahu reportedly finds more aligned with his own. Netanyahu has said in the past that Gaza could have been developed into the Singapore of the Middle East, but that Hamas chose, in the 18 years they ruled the strip to foment terror against the people of Gaza and Israel.

A Longstanding Opponent of Israeli Defense Funding

Sanders was among the first in Washington to advocate for a Gaza ceasefire, even before Israeli forces commenced their counter-operations. Over recent years, he has established himself as one of the most vocal critics of Netanyahu and a staunch advocate for reducing U.S. military support to Israel. Just last month, Sanders introduced legislation aimed at halting a $20 million U.S. arms shipment to Israel, a move that underscored his commitment to reshaping the American-Israeli relationship.

Harris Faces Pressure from Activists, But Stays the Course

Vice President Harris, who has called for temporary ceasefires in the past and supports a two-state solution, has come under mounting pressure from left-wing activists and Arab American leaders to adopt a hardline stance against Israel. As recently as three weeks ago, Harris met with Arab American advocacy groups, such as Emgage Action, to discuss alternative policy approaches. Meanwhile, the Muslim community in Michigan, long considered a reliable Democratic voting bloc, has shifted its support to Donald Trump.

Harris has remained publicly committed to the Biden administration’s policies on Israel, repeatedly affirming Israel’s right to defend itself, even as she faces protests at campaign events. Nonetheless, her continued support for Israel in the face of growing dissent may be tested as voices like Sanders grow louder.

As Sanders builds momentum for a potential Harris presidency, his statements reveal a left-wing platform that diverges sharply from traditional American policy on Israel, and the international community will be watching closely to see how these priorities impact U.S.-Israel relations in the coming years.

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