WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Bernie Sanders on Thursday delivered a blistering speech on the Senate floor, condemning President Trump and the U.S. government’s continued support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza and demanding an immediate shift in policy.
“The war has killed or injured more than 170,000 people in Gaza,” Sanders said, referencing the ongoing conflict and its human toll. “Right now, as we speak, thousands of children are starving to death. And the U.S. President is actively encouraging the ethnic cleansing of over 2 million people.”
The Vermont senator said the war has cost American taxpayers “well over $20 billion in the last year” and criticized the lack of open debate in Congress on continued U.S. funding.
“We have people sleeping out on the streets of America, two blocks from the nation’s capital,” he said. “Can you tell me why spending billions of dollars to support Netanyahu’s war and starving children is a good idea?”
Sanders also criticized fellow lawmakers for remaining publicly silent despite private concerns.
“Many of my colleagues will privately express their horror at Netanyahu’s war crimes, but will do or say very little publicly about it,” he said.
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He concluded with a demand for a policy reversal, calling for an immediate ceasefire, expanded humanitarian aid, the release of hostages, and the reconstruction of Gaza “for the Palestinian people.”
Key points
- Sanders said the war in Gaza has killed or injured over 170,000 people and is starving thousands of children.
- He criticized U.S. funding of the conflict, claiming over $20 billion has been spent in the past year.
- Sanders called for an immediate ceasefire and end to support for what he described as “Netanyahu’s war machine.”
The senator’s speech comes amid rising international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and growing domestic debate over continued U.S. military and financial support to Israel.
Sanders’ remarks were also echoed in a tweet posted shortly before his speech: “The war in Gaza has killed or injured 170,000. Children are starving to death. Trump is encouraging the ethnic cleansing of 2.2 million people.”