Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont recently made a compelling argument in support of Vice President Kamala Harris to voters who may be considering a third-party candidate or abstaining from the upcoming election due to Harris's stance on Israel's war in Gaza.
Since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris has faced pressure from pro-Palestinian, anti-war activists to either call for conditioning military aid to Israel or at least signal a departure from President Joe Biden's strong support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
In a video address on Monday night, Sanders, a progressive who aligns with Democrats, aligned himself with those critics, expressing his disagreement with Biden and Harris on the Gaza conflict. Sanders acknowledged Israel's right to defend itself against a Hamas attack while also highlighting the devastating impact on Palestinians in Gaza.
Despite the differences in opinion, Sanders urged voters to consider supporting Harris, emphasizing the potential for change in US policy towards Netanyahu once Harris assumes office. He outlined a plan that includes an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and efforts to rebuild Gaza for the Palestinian people.
Prior to discussing Harris, Sanders cautioned voters against supporting former President Donald Trump, whom he described as having a more detrimental stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Sanders pointed out Trump's praise for Netanyahu and his controversial remarks about the Gaza Strip, suggesting that Netanyahu favored Trump's administration.
Overall, Sanders's message aimed to encourage voters to prioritize the broader implications of the election and the potential for policy shifts under a Harris administration, despite current disagreements over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
