Sanders voiced concerns about how President Biden is managing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, suggesting it could potentially affect the outcome of the upcoming election.
During an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, when asked about the possibility of Biden losing in November, particularly among young, progressive voters, Sanders expressed his apprehensions, stating, “Well, that’s what I worry about.”
Sanders acknowledged Biden’s achievements but emphasized that Biden’s opponent is Donald Trump, who is not a flawless candidate.
Sanders, who aligns with Democrats, has been a vocal critic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the continuation of U.S. support for Israel despite the escalating death toll in Gaza.
Prior to the interview on Wednesday, Biden issued a warning, stating that he would halt offensive weapon supplies to Israel if Israeli forces launched an invasion of Rafah, a move that garnered criticism from conservatives.
Bernie Sanders campaigns for Biden while raising concerns about Gaza
Sanders viewed the suspension as a positive step but emphasized the need for further action from the president.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to widespread devastation, particularly in Gaza, where more than 34,700 Palestinians have lost their lives since Hamas’s attacks in October last year, according to local health officials.
Sanders stressed the urgency for the United Nations and the African Union to impose an arms embargo on Sudan and deploy a robust police force mission to Darfur to protect civilians.
Sanders also called for sanctions against those responsible for widespread war crimes, including RSF commanders Abdel Rahman Joma’a Barakallah and Mohamed “Hemedti” Hamdan Dagalo, along with his brother Abdel Raheem.
Sanders warned of potential electoral consequences for Biden due to his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, citing protests on college campuses across the U.S. against the war in Gaza.
Sanders clarified his remarks from a previous statement, stating that while he sees parallels between grassroots opposition to the Vietnam War and current protests, he does not equate the situations.
Sanders emphasized the importance of political decisions in shaping electoral outcomes, referencing former President Lyndon Johnson’s decision not to seek reelection in 1968 due to his support for the Vietnam War and grassroots opposition.
