Alarmed by Bernie’s rise
Moderate Jewish Democrats should be alarmed at Senator Bernie Sanders’ rise as contender for the Democratic Party’s 2020 nomination. Putting aside his destructive plans to lead a revolution against the world’s best economy, as president, Sanders would represent an existential danger to Israel.
While claiming he wants to level the playing field between Israel and the Palestinians, Sanders criticizes only Israel. He faults Israel for the Palestinian’s poor living conditions, without acknowledging they are ruled not by Israel, but by Palestinian leaders who have become wealthy from international aid and who deny basic human freedoms for their people.
The senator has called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a racist yet is silent when the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, demonizes the Jews and calls them descendants of pigs and monkeys.
Sanders refused to attend the recent AIPAC conference because it provides a platform for those “who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.” But Sanders had no problem speaking at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) convention, an organization with speakers and supporters who endorse violence against non-Muslims and the death penalty for homosexuals, and support Hamas and Hezbollah.
Why is Sanders enthusiastically supported by Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who actively support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and policies that would deny U.S. aid to Israel? Perhaps they recognize something in Sanders the Jewish community is unable to see.
Conrad M. Nadell
Scotch Plains
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