Clockwise from top left: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders
ISRAEL’S OPERATION Protective Edge has killed almost 2,000 people in Gaza, the vast majority of them civilians, and laid waste to schools, hospitals, mosques and factories.
The savagery of the slaughter was met by growing international opposition to Israel and solidarity with Palestine. Even in the U.S., recent opinion polls showed a growing minority of Americans, including Jews, rejecting Israel’s war on Gaza. That minority includes a strong majority of people aged 18 to 29.
This global shift in opinion has been underway for some years. People are being swayed to support Palestine by Israel’s apartheid-like behavior: building an illegal separation wall in the West Bank, turning Gaza into an open-air concentration camp and conducting regular military assaults on the occupied territories.
Thanks tothe international boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign—called for by Palestinians and mobilized by solidarity activists around the world–more and more people understand the reality that Israel is an apartheid state, and the cause of Palestinian liberation is simple justice.
But one political institution in the U.S. has stood completely unswayed by this evolving consciousness of the oppression of the Palestinians by Israel, with the support of its main international sponsor, the U.S. government.
That institution is the Democratic Party–including its liberal wing.
Like their counterparts in the two-party U.S. corporate political system, the Republicans and the Democrats never hesitated during the massacres in Gaza to reaffirm their unwavering support for Israel’s colonialism…
…The behavior of both parties during “Operation Protective Edge” has proven the rule.
The darlings of progressive activists, from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (a nominal independent who campaigns for Democrats and caucuses with them in the Senate), have made their commitments to wars about extraction clear. In the Senate vote on the pro-Israel resolution, none of the liberal stalwarts like Elizabeth Warren, Al Franken, Sherrod Brown and Bernie Sanders, made a peep in opposition. The same was true in the House.
Warren’s position shocked her progressive supporters, who either had ignored or didn’t know about her support of Israel. Despite her Native American roots, she sides not with Palestine’s indigenous population, but with Israeli colonization.
“As a United States Senator, I will work to ensure Israel’s security and success. I believe Israel must maintain a qualitative military edge and defensible borders. The United States must continue to ensure that Israel can defend itself from terrorist organizations and hostile states, including Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and others.”
The Democrats’ other new liberal lion, Bill de Blasio, outdoes Warren in pro-war proclamations.
In a radio interview, he boasted that he opposed the “very, very wrongheaded movement to boycott, and dis-invest from Israel. I’ve led the charge against that, whether you’re talking about the Park Slope Food Co-op or at Brooklyn College, I’ve stood against that divestment movement.” During the current war on Gaza, he announced, “I consider it my responsibility to stand up for Israel.”
Just as disappointing has been the traditionally progressive Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).Bruce Dixon of the Black Agenda Report reported on how CBC members in the House and Senate betrayed Palestine in AIPAC-backed resolutions. As Dixon wrote:
Not a single member of the CBC, despite their much heralded brand of standing for civil rights and against apartheid here and around the world, bothered to publicly question the racist ethnocracy that is the Israeli state. After signing the blank check with the rest of their colleagues, CBC members Conyers (MI), Lee (CA), Johnson (GA) and Ellison (MN) tried to cover their shame with a letter to Secretary of State Kerry urging a cease-fire, something which Kerry claims to have been doing anyway.
The self-proclaimed socialist Bernie Sanders has done little better. As left-wing Vermont writer Ron Jacobs noted, “Senator Sanders has voted for “grants and loans to Israel, even after Israel bombed Gaza, attacked the Mavi Marmara and supported illegal settlements in the West Bank.” When asked by reporters for his view of the current war on Gaza, Sanders evaded the question, stating, “That’s not where my mind is right now.”
Despite his own claims, Sanders has not been an antiwar leader. Ever since he won election to the House, he has taken either equivocal positions on U.S. wars or outright supported them.
His hawkish positions — especially his decision to support Bill Clinton’s 1999 Kosovo War — drove one of his key advisers, Jeremy Brecher, to resign from his staff. Brecher wrote in his resignation letter, “Is there a moral limit to the military violence you are willing to participate in or support?”
So outraged were peace activists over Sanders’ support of the Kosovo War that they occupied his office in 1999. Sanders had them arrested. Under the Bush regime, Sanders’ militarism has only grown worse. While he called for alternative approaches to the war on Afghanistan, he failed to join the sole Democrat, Barbara Lee, to vote against Congress’ resolution that gave George Bush a blank check to launch war on any country he deemed connected to the September 11 attacks.
Ever since, he has voted for appropriations bills to fund the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, despite their horrific toll on the occupied peoples as well as U.S. soldiers.
Sanders has been critical of the war on Iraq, but he has supported pro-war measures — such as a March 21, 2003, resolution stating,
“Congress expresses the unequivocal support and appreciation of the nation to the President as Commander-in-Chief for his firm leadership and decisive action in the conduct of military operations in Iraq as part of the ongoing Global War on Terrorism.”
Sanders also opposes immediate withdrawal from Iraq, despite the fact that a majority of residents in his home city of Burlington voted for such a position in a town meeting resolution in February 2005.
… Sanders scuttled any action on a wave of Bush impeachment resolutions that swept Vermont towns in 2006. Like House Majority Leader-to-be Nancy Pelosi, who has promised not to impeach Bush, Sanders argued that impeachment was impractical, and that activists should put energy into electing Democrats.
This summer, Sanders voted for House Resolution 921, which gave full support to Israel’s murderous war on Lebanon. He also voted for HR 4681 that imposed sanctions on the Palestinian Authority with the aim of removing the democratically elected Hamas government.
In response, longtime War Resisters League leader, David McReynolds sent a public letter to Sanders, stating, “Because of your vote of support for the Israeli actions, I would hope any friends and contacts of mine would not send you funds, nor give you their votes.” Indeed, Sanders has consistently defended Israel through it worst crimes against Palestinians and Arabs. Unsurprisingly, some Sanders staffers have also worked with the American Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC) — including David Sirota, now a Democratic Party strategist, and Sanders’ former communications director Joel Barkin.
Finally, in perhaps his worst betrayal yet, Sanders joined a host of liberal Democrats including Barbara Lee and John Conyers to vote for HR 282:the Iran Freedom Support Act — …Democrat Dennis Kucinich voted against the act and denounced it as a “stepping stone to war.”
Dear Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Al Franken,
This is a break-up letter, I’m sorry to tell you. I am done with each and every one of you. Don’t come knocking at my door or my inbox. Don’t look for my support.
Elizabeth, I am a Massachusetts resident at this time, although I spent 14 years in Israel where I was an activist in the peace movement you should have been allying yourself with, instead of going along with the Senate’s unanimous consent to back Israel’s murderous invasion of Gaza. Shame on you. I will be explaining to everyone I know that you can no longer be trusted to do the right thing, even in a situation where one of the strongest armies in the world is pounding a crowded, impoverished Gaza.
Bernie, I have had a strong connection with Vermont since my college crowd founded a hippy farm in Vermont. They are still there, pillars of their communities now, some grandparents, and all of them supporters of yours. I will be talking to them about how you have compromised every principle that you say guides you, how you failed to reject the disgusting AIPAC and its resolution calling this Israeli barbarism “self-defense.”
Al, you are considered a national treasure, a person who transformed himself from an entertainer to a serious progressive politician. You have transformed yourself once again into a man willing to pass a resolution that does not even mention that over 350 Gazans have been killed, so far, in this horrific invasion – the vast majority unarmed, poor, and cowering in their own homes. Fifty of those are children.
I could do an ABC of brutal Occupation, but you ought to already understand what is being done by a country to which you vote billions of dollars in military and other support. You three are members of one of the most powerful political bodies in the world and you should be as ashamed of yourselves as I am of you.
Sanders not only defends military contracts that benefit his constituents in Vermont, he also joined the 100 to 0 vote in the Senate to give unalloyed moral and political support to the state of Israel during its most recent bombing campaign against Gaza. …Let’s not be fooled by “progressives” who can’t find their spines when the colonial regime in Israel bombs the crowded ghetto of Gaza.
While Sanders voted against the original authorization to use military force against Iraq, he followed that vote with several subsequent votes authorizing funding of that war and the debacle in Afghanistan. The other piece of legislation passed that long ago September was the PATRIOT Act. Like the vote that sent troops to Afghanistan, that legislation changed the US forever.
To his credit, Sanders voted against the original PATRIOT Act legislation and attempted to curtail its effect in subsequent votes. However, in 2006, he voted Yea on legislation that made the remaining fourteen provisions of the Patriot Act permanent and extended the authority of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct “roving wiretaps” and access certain business records through December 31, 2009. In a similar vein, Sanders voted against the original legislation that created the Department of Homeland Security, but by 2006 he had joined the majority of Congress in passing continued funding of that agency.
You are simply mistaken. Bernie supported that war. Your denial of this will not change history.
“he endorsed the Kosovo war in 1999, a position that prompted 25 frustrated antiwar activists to occupy his office in Burlington” http://reason.com/blog/2015/05/29/bernie-sanders-and-the-liberal-hawks
That does not make up for supporting dozens of wars, endorsing murders in Gaza, and gleefully wasting billions on the F-35 bomber/fighter which cannot fly properly and is not needed to begin with. We need a president with the courage to shut down wars and secure the peace. Bernie is too attached to the war machine.
Yes he was. A simple fact. He was behind it, backed it and voted for it. And when his constituents complained, he had them arrested. Cannot change history.
Bernie’s “approach” has been entirely orthodox. He condones Israeli aggression in voting to continue funding their military aggression. He also votes for a dysfunctional bomber and support for dozens of wars of choice across the globe.
The statement is correct and corroborated by the link you posted. He voted for some and against some. He should not have voted for any. All of these conflicts are corporate wars to sell munitions. (Sometimes to both sides) None of the 27 nations where we are currently at war have attacked us. We attacked them. While many of these wars were Obama’s doing, Bernie has supported these wars by agreeing to fund what are unnecessary and avoidable wars… because he wants the contracts for the people of Virginia. When it comes to war vs peace, he follows the money and votes for war. This is the same tactic followed by the past five presidents over the last 36 years. It is not working. We need peace. Only Jill Stein is willing to facedown the war machine and say no to war.
The funding bills he voted for contained amendments he proposed that boosted aid for veterans in Vermont and for PTSD-oriented programs. The number of veterans he would’ve helped by voting against bills containing these amendments? Zero.
Voting against wars of choice would have saved thousands of American lives and millions of lives around the world. Just a fact.
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren support American and Israeli military aggression.
These two politicians have betrayed us along with the leadership of the Democratic party. They joined with the Republicans in endorsing unprovoked American aggression abroad. No thanks.
“Mr. Backlash, Mr. Backlash
Who do you think I am
You raise my taxes, freeze my wages
And send my son to Vietnam…
Do you think that all coloured folks
Are second class fools”
There is no distortion involved. Bernie Sanders is an unapologetic conservative who supports the corporate bottom line and all this implies: Israeli aggression, American Aggression, the F-35 bomber boondoggle and drone warfare killing an average of fifty innocent people per strike. Bernie’s only policy is economic. He intends to secure funds from the corporate elite to CONTINUE these endless wars and support the profiteering associated with them. Do not drink the Kool-Aid. https://thepeaceresource.wordpress.com/2015/05/28/sanders-dogging-for-hillary-and-the-democrats-is-not-even-in-the-running/
And the number of lives that would have been saved… thousands if not millions
Voting out of fear, making compromises and surrender to an economy based on war has not worked for 36 years and will not work next year.
We can shine with Stein: https://thewordsmithcollection.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/shine-with-stein/
Voting to fund wars of aggression is what is causing harm and injuries to veterans and has also cost millions of lives globally. A man who sees war for profit as a viable economic base for America does not belong in the White House. Dr. Stine is a better choice:
which you vote billions of dollars in military and other support. You three are members of one of the most powerful political bodies in the world and you should be as ashamed of yourselves as I am of you.
RevolutionResource.org 
Bernie was not a hawk on the Kosovo war.
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You are simply mistaken. Bernie supported that war. Your denial of this will not change history.
“he endorsed the Kosovo war in 1999, a position that prompted 25 frustrated antiwar activists to occupy his office in Burlington”
http://reason.com/blog/2015/05/29/bernie-sanders-and-the-liberal-hawks
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He also helped end that war when he reached out to Russian lawmakers to get a ceasefire in place.
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That does not make up for supporting dozens of wars, endorsing murders in Gaza, and gleefully wasting billions on the F-35 bomber/fighter which cannot fly properly and is not needed to begin with. We need a president with the courage to shut down wars and secure the peace. Bernie is too attached to the war machine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
ending one war while funding another dozen… does not add up right
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Yes he was. A simple fact. He was behind it, backed it and voted for it. And when his constituents complained, he had them arrested. Cannot change history.
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Pingback: What Bernie Sanders’ Initial Remarks on the Afghanistan War Tell Us About His Foreign Policy | People's War
Bernie’s “approach” has been entirely orthodox. He condones Israeli aggression in voting to continue funding their military aggression. He also votes for a dysfunctional bomber and support for dozens of wars of choice across the globe.
https://thepeaceresource.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/bernie-sanders-has-no-answers-he-is-invested-in-endless-war-regardless-of-the-costs-2/
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Sorry, I posted the wrong link. https://votesmart.org/bill/8053/22406/27110/defense-authorizations-bill
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Hmmm You neglected to tell why you posted this link. I have seen it before. It indicates he voted to fund avoidable wars on multiple occasions.
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Why are you posting this link?
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You are mistaken…. He was for the wars (and voted to support them) before he was against them.
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The statement is correct and corroborated by the link you posted. He voted for some and against some. He should not have voted for any. All of these conflicts are corporate wars to sell munitions. (Sometimes to both sides) None of the 27 nations where we are currently at war have attacked us. We attacked them. While many of these wars were Obama’s doing, Bernie has supported these wars by agreeing to fund what are unnecessary and avoidable wars… because he wants the contracts for the people of Virginia. When it comes to war vs peace, he follows the money and votes for war. This is the same tactic followed by the past five presidents over the last 36 years. It is not working. We need peace. Only Jill Stein is willing to facedown the war machine and say no to war.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The funding bills he voted for contained amendments he proposed that boosted aid for veterans in Vermont and for PTSD-oriented programs. The number of veterans he would’ve helped by voting against bills containing these amendments? Zero.
LikeLike
Voting against wars of choice would have saved thousands of American lives and millions of lives around the world. Just a fact.
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren support American and Israeli military aggression.
These two politicians have betrayed us along with the leadership of the Democratic party. They joined with the Republicans in endorsing unprovoked American aggression abroad. No thanks.
“Mr. Backlash, Mr. Backlash
Who do you think I am
You raise my taxes, freeze my wages
And send my son to Vietnam…
Do you think that all coloured folks
Are second class fools”
https://revolutionresource.org/2015/02/15/bernie-sanders-many-not-be-as-progressive-as-you-think/
LikeLike
Pingback: Why Did Bernie Sanders Vote to Fund the Iraq War? | People's War
There is no distortion involved. Bernie Sanders is an unapologetic conservative who supports the corporate bottom line and all this implies: Israeli aggression, American Aggression, the F-35 bomber boondoggle and drone warfare killing an average of fifty innocent people per strike. Bernie’s only policy is economic. He intends to secure funds from the corporate elite to CONTINUE these endless wars and support the profiteering associated with them. Do not drink the Kool-Aid.
https://thepeaceresource.wordpress.com/2015/05/28/sanders-dogging-for-hillary-and-the-democrats-is-not-even-in-the-running/
LikeLiked by 1 person
And the number of lives that would have been saved… thousands if not millions
Voting out of fear, making compromises and surrender to an economy based on war has not worked for 36 years and will not work next year.
We can shine with Stein:
https://thewordsmithcollection.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/shine-with-stein/
LikeLike
Voting to fund wars of aggression is what is causing harm and injuries to veterans and has also cost millions of lives globally. A man who sees war for profit as a viable economic base for America does not belong in the White House. Dr. Stine is a better choice:
https://thewordsmithcollection.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/shine-with-stein/
LikeLike
Pingback: Bernie Sanders Populist Campaign has some missing pieces. | The Peace Resource
Pingback: Bernie Sanders has no answers. He is invested in endless war, regardless of the costs… | The Peace Resource
Pingback: Hillary and Bernie support Gaza murders and avoidable American wars | RevolutionResource.org