In a recent appearance on “Face the Nation” in December 2023, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders discussed the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel that began on October 7, following a brutal attack by Hamas on Israel. Sanders expressed skepticism about the possibility of a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, given their longstanding goal of destroying Israel and their commitment to a permanent state of war.
Sanders clarified that he only supports a humanitarian pause in the conflict, rather than a permanent ceasefire. His criticism of Israel has primarily centered on the right-wing coalition government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing its reactionary nature. Unlike some other voices in American politics, Sanders does not call for a wholesale reduction of military aid to Israel or a reconsideration of the U.S.’s special relationship with the Jewish state.
The article suggests that the America First Right, rather than the Left, is more likely to bring about genuine non-interventionist changes in U.S. foreign policy. The America First movement advocates for non-interventionism in regions that are not of direct interest to the United States, while also prioritizing border security, which resonates with a significant portion of the American electorate.
Bernie Sanders on Face The Nation:
“I don’t know how you can have a permanent ceasefire with Hamas who has said before October 7 and after October 7 that they want to destroy Israel and they want a permanent war. I don’t know how you have a permanent ceasefire with an attitude… pic.twitter.com/t51mGmUn0g
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) December 10, 2023
This highlights the evolving dynamics within American politics regarding foreign policy and interventionism.
Author:Â Blake Ambrose