Highlights: Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday the United States should use aid to Israel as leverage to force its government to change its approach.
“If you want this money, you got to change your military strategy, Sanders (I-Vt.) said on CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked about a possible aid package for Israel to be considered by the Senate.
But the two senators who followed Sanders on that program were much more concerned about what Iran might be up to than what Israel is doing. Sanders condemned both Hamas (“an awful terrorist organization”) and the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (whom he hopes will be voted out), calling for a two-state solution to the intractable crisis but not specifying how to create a path forward without Hamas, Netanyahu or war.
While decrying empty slogans on both sides of the conflict, Sanders also declined to endorse or condemn Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-Mich.) criticism of President Joe Biden — she accused him of supporting “genocide” — even as he said attention needed to be paid to the rhetoric of Republicans on the subject, citing former President Donald Trump.
“If anyone thinks that Trump is going to be better than Biden on this issue or any other issue, for that matter, I think they are sorely mistaken,” he said.
If Israel wasn't getting "self defense aid" they likely wouldn't have prevented Gaza from holding elections for the last couple decades…
In the current situation, Israel benefits greatly from Hamas "being in charge" of Gaza, even tho they don't really have any political power.
Like, it's hard to blame Hamas when Israel controls all the infrastructure and borders, and even controls police and what areas ambulances can pass thru.
Neither Hamas nor Israel's current government could exist without the other.
They mainly benefit from being a hotspot in a politically charged region where America has interest.
https://theintercept.com/2023/10/27/secret-military-base-israel-gaza-site-512/
Most of the defense spending we send over as “aid” lines defense contractors pockets and allows the US military to have a much larger presence there.
Defense contractors, and most of the politicians voting to support the “aid” that is sent don’t give a shit about Israel’s cause. They want a strong, profitable position in the Middle East, and putting on a front that they are supporting this “free, democratic” ally is a ploy to increase and expand that profit and funding wherever possible