Sanders Says If Israel Wants to Ban Members of Congress, It Should Not Receive Billions in

[Autumn]

in US Military Aid

"The idea that a member of the United States Congress cannot visit a nation which, by the way, we support to the tune of billions and billions of dollars is clearly an outrage."
byJake Johnson, staff writer

Sanders said Thursday that "the idea that a member of the United States Congress cannot visit a nation which, by the way, we support to the tune of billions and billions of dollars is clearly an outrage."

"And if Israel doesn't want members of the United States Congress to visit their country to get a firsthand look at what's going on—and I've been there many, many times—but if he doesn't want members to visit, maybe [Netanyahu] can respectfully decline the billions of dollars that we give to Israel," Sanders added.

Progressives applauded Sanders' remarks, noting that the senator's willingness to challenge U.S. military aid to Israel makes him unique in the 2020 Democratic presidential field.

"People have been asking how Bernie can distinguish himself from rivals who at least profess agreement on domestic issues," tweeted HuffPost reporter Daniel Marans. "This is one area where the distinction is clear."

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/08/16/sanders-says-if-israel-wants-ban-members-congress-it-should-not-receive-billions-us?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3wpgkqdtXhni7pHuhQ5ycGSnZGDCEBF--E_OIRJaQQ_ickoLmmN30jjgc

[Sherman A1]

1. I completely agree

I have serious issues with Israel and my tax dollars and have had so since the incident involving The USS Liberty.

[Perseus]

57. I have had issues with the amount of money Israel receives since I can't remember

The amounts are exorbitant, I don't understand it.

[Blue_true]

67. Same here. I wish others would say that the aid will be reviewed in light of

Netanyahu's actions on the embassy location and targeting of US officeholders. There must be a price extracted for his arrogance. Israeli voters can re-elect him if they won't, but that will just make the price that will be extracted higher.

[Sherman A1]

73. From my point of view

Netanyahu or not I want this amount of my tax dollars at the very least reviewed and I would much prefer that it be spent on things domestic such as education, roads, bridges, healthcare and alike. If it is spent overseas I would hope it is going to something that helps with people in serious need.

Alternately if the damn wall is something so blasted important (and I think it is a completely stupid idea), here is a source of funding for it.

[olegramps]

75. How much of that aid was used to clandestinely build nuclear weapons? Which they continue to deny.

I have been concerned that our treatment of the situation has not been evenly handled. Let's admit that following the holocaust, the overwhelming sentiment was in favor of the Jews. I think that it is well to also remember that the Jewish takeover of Palestine was marked with violence by Jewish settlers who were demanding independence from British oversight. It certainly isn't one sided. Let us also consider that they have conducted serious spy operations on us, their supposed trusted ally. We should also consider the extent of their powerful lobbying operations to affect a rather one-sided projection of the situation with the Palestinian.

Let's also not forget that the Republican Party's support for Israel, which has intensified under the Trump administration, is tied directly to the their dependence on the support of the Evangelical End-timers who see the conflict as being directly related to their ardent desire for the Second Coming, what I consider to be abject idiotic nonsense. I don't want to offend any Christians, but the predictions of the return of Jesus have been preached since the advent of Christianity and repeated numerous times for the last 2,000 plus years.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread Autumn.

[Vegas Roller]

3. Violates principles of sovereignty and the country's rights

It is akin to someone on welfare cannot have children as long as they are on welfare.

Any member of congress is free to vote against aid to Israel but they have no right to an automatic welcome in Israel.

[Autumn]

5. True they have no right to an automatic welcome in Israel. Israel also has no

right to an automatic check of billions of dollars in aid from our tax dollars when we have cities here that need aid.

[Vegas Roller]

44. Other members of congress have approved the aid

If the congresscritters want to whine, they should whine at their colleagues and not at Israel.

The aid to Israel is DEMOCRATICALLY and LEGALLY approved. Just because someone doesn't get a visa doesn't mean it can be yanked willy-nilly.

[Autumn]

49. No one is whining. No one is suggesting that aid be yanked willy-nilly. But if our leaders

cared to not roll over they could legally defund that aid. Also, every elected "congresscritter", as you call them should be raising hell with republicans AND Israel. So should the American people.

[RDANGELO]

10. Nobody is holding a gun to Israel's head and demanding they allow the congresswomen.

This is just criticism. People can't criticize Israel?

[LanternWaste]

12. Who is arguing otherwise?

No one.

Don't pretend that simply criticizing the action is the same as arguing Israel lacks status as a sovereign state.

[Vegas Roller]

47. Criticizing the action is ok

but threats of yanking aid are not ok. They sound like economic slavery -- "If you want my money, you'll have to obey" kind of a thing.

[Celerity]

62. This literally makes zero sense, you're advocating for dismantling the entire concept of soft power,

sanctions, and its inverse, economic aid, as diplomatic tools just because it is apparently one of your sacred cows in the cross-hairs and/or just trying to get slap in on a candidate you do not like nor support.

[Uncle Joe]

90. Well said Celerity.

[treestar]

76. It is our money

We can yank it at any time. Yes, they have to "obey" at least some conditions. We are the giver, and there can be things we don't tolerate. They congresswoman visa denial was petty; they should have let it go. The visit would not have made much difference.

[Buzz cook]

86. "If you want my money, you'll have to obey" And that is the problem

Israel obeying Trump.

Our tax dollars have done more than support Israel's military. They have supported the more and more right wing and corrupt Netanyahu government.

Israel can refuse entry to anyone they wish to. But when they do so to suck up to Donald Trump they should expect a reaction.

[FreeLookMode]

89. I want to echo Celerity and suggest that America is built upon its exercise of Soft Power

As much as anything else.

And yeah, if you want American Money, it comes with conditions. Accept those conditions or don't get our money - that's pretty normal.

[aikoaiko]

15. No, it respects their sovereignty and rights, but also ours.

[Vegas Roller]

46. WE as a sovereign entity

have approved the aid to Israel democratically and legally.

If any congress person needs to whine, they should whine at their colleagues who have approved the aid and signed by the POTUS.

[aikoaiko]

48. Yes, and we can withdraw it democratically and legally.

[Vegas Roller]

50. Won't happen .. but dream on. nt

[Clash City Rocker]

51. But it probably should happen

[treestar]

77. If there is enough political will, and they insult us enough

At least we are bringing it up.

[LuvNewcastle]

4. If the shoe were on the other foot and the U.S. denied the right

of an Israeli Knesset member to enter the country, I suspect people would be raising hell.

[FakeNoose]

23. Yes of course, but they never see it that way

[Lonestarblue]

33. And remember when Netanyahu addressed Congress without an invitation from Obama?

He violated long-standing tradition, but Republicans invited him so that was okay.

[treestar]

78. And the Obama administration was not petty enough

to deny Netanyahu entry.

Our own congresswomen, who are Americans, being denied because of their ethnicity or their opinion, was stupid as it brought attention to a visit that would probably have not been so newsworthy had they just let it go.

[True Dough]

37. Absolutely. Great point. n/t

[VarryOn]

72. Actually, the Administration in Feb, 2012 barred a Knesset member...

I don’t remember this happening but heard about it on NPR earlier today...


WASHINGTON (JTA) — The United States barred entry to Israeli Knesset member Michael Ben Ari, reportedly because of his membership in Kach, a banned terrorist group.

Ben Ari, a member of the right-wing National Union party, wanted to attend two conferences in the United States.

Israeli media quoted Ben Ari as saying last week that the ban stemmed from his association with Kach, the anti-Arab group founded in the 1970s by the late Meir Kahane.

[treestar]

79. Terrorist group member

big difference.

[Autumn]

80. If our Congresswomen were were members of a terrorist group I could see that point. They aren't.

[VarryOn]

84. My only point was the US has banned before nti

[HeartlandProgressive]

85. how true!

[Andy823]

6. I totally agree. nt

[Hortensis]

7. Sanders agrees with the Democratic Party

AND many Republicans in opposing this despicable and scary action.

Although I'm ready to pull all funds from Israel's ultraconservative government, there are no doubt many reasons why that simply isn't possible, a trumpian move far more dangerous than just moving the capitol to Jerusalem in its effect.

Note that no one who has or may have such power, such as Biden or Pelosi, is able to indulge this kind of bombastic hot-air noise. I believe Sanders is right in not worrying that he'd have to come through, but I don't admire him for using his freedom this way.

“A shameful, unprecedented move”: Democrats react to Israel blocking Omar and Tlaib’s trip: Everyone from speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to 2020 hopeful John Delaney have weighed in.



https://www.vox.com/2019/8/15/20807261/israel-omar-tlaib-trump-netanyahu-pelosi-warren

[Autumn]

11. I noticed that he came out against Israel harder than Pelosi and Biden. If you want to call that

standing separate, I agree and I say good for him.

Bernie's statement,

"The idea that a member of the United States Congress cannot visit a nation which, by the way, we support to the tune of billions and billions of dollars is clearly an outrage."

"And if Israel doesn't want members of the United States Congress to visit their country to get a firsthand look at what's going on—and I've been there many, many times—but if he doesn't want members to visit, maybe [Netanyahu] can respectfully decline the billions of dollars that we give to Israel,"

Biden's statement,

I have always been a stalwart supporter of Israel—a vital partner that shares our democratic values. No democracy should deny entry to visitors based on the content of their ideas—even ideas they strongly object to. And no leader of the free world should encourage them to do so.

Nancy's statement,

“As one who loves Israel, I am deeply saddened by the news that Israel has decided to prevent Members of Congress from entering the country.

“Last month, Israeli Ambassador Dermer stated that, ‘Out of respect for the U.S. Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any Member of Congress into Israel.’ This is a sad reversal and is deeply disappointing. I pray that the Government of Israel will reverse that denial.

“Israel’s denial of entry to Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar is a sign of weakness, and beneath the dignity of the great State of Israel. The President’s statements about the Congresswomen are a sign of ignorance and disrespect, and beneath the dignity of the Office of the President.”

[Hortensis]

13. Admire ME then. My stand is stronger than his.

I mean, if empty words I know I'll never have to make good on are what it takes, see above.



Seriously, Biden was heavily involved in the Middle East during Obama's administration. Don't you at least wonder what's going through his mind, and Harris's for instance, as they realize all this may well land in their lap for real?

You do know that America's strongest Zionists by far are America's Christians, right? -- the religious right especially -- and the Republican Party? It's always been that way. The Bible says Jesus will return to earth after the Jews return to Israel.

Ever wonder what would happen if a Jewish president tried to cancel a huge block of aid to Israel, risking the security of the Zionist nation? Congress wouldn't let him, just to begin, and Sanders knows that. Sabotage a major, major bipartisan Christian belief to which the Republican Party and many in the Democratic are wholly committed?! Uhuh. The Knessset could literally step out into the streets of Jerusalem and shoot down Christian tourists, and it wouldn't change a thing as far as the Republican Party was concerned.

All hot air, and thank goodness. We have enough of a religious war going as it is.

[Autumn]

39. Isn't that what you said? I don't believe Bernie's stand is any more hot air than Pelosis or Biden's

Personally, my feeling is as an American I bow down to no religious or zealot group or nation that bases their "facts" ancient books that have no relevance or solutions for the issues we face today. Nor do I accept that I have to accept their wishes. We are a sovereign nation. If Russia, Iran or any other nation refused entry and disrespected our elected representatives we would not stand for it.

[Hortensis]

82. Very strange reply, surely?

I wasn’t trying to invite antagonism to Israel, but speaking about our nation.

The Republican Party is currently running this show. As for bowing down, I don’t like to think of that as bowing down to either McConnell or Trump, but courtesy of lunacy they are mostly in charge. Maybe envisage a boot on your neck instead.

And remember that it didn’t and doesn’t have to be this way. People who are determined not to stand for it vote Democrat.

[Autumn]

83. No antagonism at all. What's strange about replying to your comment on religions supporting

Isreal because of their bible, which is an ancient book? If you don't like my opinion on that ignore it.

You do know that America's strongest Zionists by far are America's Christians, right? -- the religious right especially -- and the Republican Party? It's always been that way. The Bible says Jesus will return to earth after the Jews return to Israel.

Ever wonder what would happen if a Jewish president tried to cancel a huge block of aid to Israel, risking the security of the Zionist nation? Congress wouldn't let him, just to begin, and Sanders knows that. Sabotage a major, major bipartisan Christian belief to which the Republican Party and many in the Democratic are wholly committed?! Uhuh. The Knessset could literally step out into the streets of Jerusalem and shoot down Christian tourists, and it wouldn't change a thing as far as the Republican Party was concerned.

All hot air, and thank goodness. We have enough of a religious war going as it is.

I stand by what I said.

Personally, my feeling is as an American I bow down to no religious or zealot group or nation that bases their "facts" ancient books that have no relevance or solutions for the issues we face today. Nor do I accept that I have to accept their wishes. We are a sovereign nation. If Russia, Iran or any other nation refused entry and disrespected our elected representatives we would not stand for it.

[Marcuse]

69. Right wing evangelists never tell the Jews what they want Jesus to do to them when he returns.

...Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians, Chapter 1, Verses 7-9

With friends like these....

[Hortensis]

81. The Jews know. :)

Nothing new about this, it’s as old as Christianity.

Of course, various Christian sects vary tremendously in their good heartedness or lack of it. Although most Jews will presumably die at Armageddon, the nicer ones expect plenty of them to be choose to be saved as well. Other sects expect them all to die. I am particularly fond of the fundamentalist extremists ( mercifully, very few) who believe all Jews around the planet must be driven to Israel, by whatever means necessary, but this horror and its implementation would be their god’s doing, not theirs. As you say, with friends like this...

[Autumn]

87. They want the earth to be a lake of fire while they sit on a cloud reminiscing about

the suffering of those left behind after their rapture.

[True Blue American]

20. It is Netanyahu's weakness.

He could not even create a Government and thinks Trump will help him. Problem is Trump has his own problems now.

[Hortensis]

22. He sure does, but antisemitism here helps them both.

Ironic that the largest, strongest pro-zionism forces in the U.S. are heavily laced with antisemitism, but so it is.

[True Blue American]

24. I heard someone,

A former Ambassador, I think say that Netanyahu is counting on Trump support, hoping Trump will invite him here, the way John Boehner did. Remember, he invited Bibi to speak before Congress.?

[PatrickforO]

26. I remember that. I thought it was disgraceful.

When one party in a republic invites the leader of another country over especially to criticize a US president, that's out of line. Every single Republican that signed that petition needs to be soundly defeated at the polls next time they are up for reelection. Which is 2020 for the entire House.

That was not OK, particularly since they were protesting the Iran agreement, which was good, but which they hated because Obama had the temerity to negotiate it while being black.

Racist jerks. Because that's what it was all about - race. Pure and simple. Obama was a centrist and that was a good deal.

[True Blue American]

30. Everything that Trump

Has done is revenge on Obama. He is such a gutless wonder.

Before Boehner retired someone dumped a load of horse manure at his headquarters.

Lebanon is known for it’s horse race track.

[Celerity]

32. If Rump tries to bring Netanyahu here to speak before Congress after he banned members of that very

Congress from his nation, it is going to be a shitshow. I therefore fully expect Rump to do just that.

[True Blue American]

34. Pelosi would have to invite him.

[Hortensis]

60. :). Nt

[Celerity]

63. can Moscow Mitch do so? nt

[Blue_true]

92. Why m, at some point, is there always an attempt to equate criticism of Israeli government actions

with the critics being anti-Semitic? The face is that Israel has rather consistently drifted to the right and it's treatment of Oalestinians gotten worse since Sharon went into the area that holds the Al Asga Mosque. Israel has not helped us during that time, it is more likely to spy on us than share critical intelligence, highly likely to cut deals with China and Russia that are not in our best interests. The relationship with Israel must be reviewed if the government there keeps drifting rightward and taking actions that upset our efforts to bring a lasting peace to that region.

[Hortensis]

95. Because many RW Christians have always

been antisemitic. It’s a theme that’s run through conservative Christianity for as long as it’s existed.

You don’t imagine that Hitler killed 4 million Jews all by himself do you? Germany was a Christian nation. Or that Jews were discriminated against in this nation for 500 years because they secretly ran the whole planet in a giant Jewish conspiracy?

What today’s Republican Party has become is not just racist toward dark skinned people but also old-style intensely anti-Semitic, AND more committed to Zionism than ever. Many conservative Christians believe we are in the end times.

[Blue_true]

96. The USA has not been around for 500 years.

But I get your point. Jewish people have had pogroms run against them for millennia. They were voctomized in Czarist Russia and the victimization continued under the Soviets, eventhough one of the leaders of the Russian revolution was a Jewish person, Leon Trotsky.

Today there is an unholy alliance between ultra-right Jewish people like Sheldon Edelson, Netanyahu, et others, and conservative Christians and white supremacists. Each have their own reason for being in that alliance, but each is willing to turn a blind eye to the other for the time being. That last observation is why white nationalist can match chanting "Jews will not replace us", with all the background meaning of that phrase, and not have Netanyahu and Trump supporting Jewish people go apeshit, instead there is a wink and a grin because each got something that it wanted, for people like Adelson it is being able to conduct any business action without fear of regulators, for people like Netanyahu, it is being able to conduct any internal and foreign policy they want and not have the USA intervene to push for other choices.

My point was the Israeli people have a choice with Netanyahu, they can continue to keep him in office or they can get rid of him, both choices come with consequences, my argument is that we should make the consequences harsh if Israelis choose to keep Netanyahu. There is no fence-sitting with such a situation.

[melman]

56. Yeah it's hard not to notice his is the only one that doesn't start with a disclaimer

The others sound almost like they're apologizing for making a statement.

[Autumn]

74. I noticed that too. When an elected leader in our government says "I pray the government

of Israel will reverse that denial. " it shows me that they are subservient. I find that disturbing, an American politician should never bow down to a foreign country as Trump does to Russia.

[zentrum]

8. Yup.

[packman]

9. Agree - why in the hell ARE we giving Israel those $ anyway?

Can't we find some highways, bridges or such to spend that money on?

[MarvinGardens]

14. I agree with Bernie.

This was a provocative act by the Israeli government toward the United States government. We should not be funding a government that is hostile toward members of our legislative branch. There are pragmatic reasons not to cut off all funding. It may be against our interests to do so. But there should be a penalty for this behavior. Perhaps US contributions to Israel should be reduced by some percentage.

[SCVDem]

17. Yeah, 100% for military aid

Maybe some tariffs on the side.

[NNadir]

16. I generally have profound distaste for Sanders but in this...

...case he's right. Let's give praise when due.

[pandr32]

31. +1

[Maven]

64. +1

[dchill]

18. On point.

[True Blue American]

19. That was my first thought!

And Democrats now control the budget.

Netanyahu jumped when Trump tweeted, others thought different.

Although I do think the 2 women walked right into Trumps trap. Notice, AOC seems to be MIA on this.

[Autumn]

43. No she isn't . She spoke out. nt

[mountain grammy]

21. THANK YOU BERNIE SANDERS!

I totally agree..

[PatrickforO]

25. Now you're talking!

You bet. Netanyahu doesn't get to bar members of our Congress from his country. It's supposed to be a democracy, for God's sake.

[Raven123]

27. Absolutely agree

[riversedge]

28. Good for Sanders. Takes courage to say that.

[gibraltar72]

29. I hope we remember this.

[SunSeeker]

35. Every member of Congress should be putting out similar statements. nt

[jrthin]

36. I agree with Sanders. Every Congress person should be calling for this. nt

[True Dough]

38. Good on Bernie

He deserves applause for taking this position.

[Timmygoat]

40. Is there a petition

That we can sign to stop aid to Israel?

[demmiblue]

41. Video:

Link to tweet

[calimary]

42. Now, on THAT, I fully support Bernie.

My husband and I have been talking about that all morning.

He says we should start reconsidering tall that financial support immediately. Further, we should “dock their pay” in proportion with the percentage of Congressmembers to whom they’re refusing entry. Won’t be a huge amount of money (the ratio here is 2:435) but I suspect Bibi can’t afford to lose a single nickel. PARTICULARLY when Bibi’s got an election of his own to face in the very near future.

[RVN VET71]

45. Israel is the unofficial 51st State

Bibi should be petitioning for the right to elect Representatives and Senators.

[Blue_true]

93. Trump treats it better that he treats Puerto Rico. nt

[RVN VET71]

94. Exactly!

[corbettkroehler]

52. I Wish It Weren't So But Having A Jewish Senator Say This Adds Heft

Naturally, I concur with Sanders' position but the larger and more important issue, as I see it, is that Bibi has thrived by leveraging the canard that opposition to the government of Israel equals antisemitism.

Balderdash!

This is far too close to the line Dubya used in 2002 in order to cobble together the coalition of the willing: "you're either with us or you're with the terrorists". I'm sick of it!

[Duppers]

54. +100

[The Liberal Lion]

53. I agree wholeheartedly

and not only because of the denial of entry.

[Duppers]

55. Bernie is an asset to this country.

And IDGAF what folks say, he is!

Preach it Bernie!

[democrank]

58. Recommended

[Nanjeanne]

59. I am so glad someone is openly saying this. From a Jew - I thank you.

[BigDemVoter]

61. I fucking agree 100%

[Yeehah]

65. Preach it, brother.

There is no reason to support right-wing insanity in Istael or anywhere else.

[ArcticFox]

66. A man with clear moral convictions

Thank you Senator Sanders.

Win in 2020!

[ooky]

68. K&R

Fuck Israel.

[MustLoveBeagles]

70. Credit where credit is due

I don't agree with Bernie much anymore but he's right about this.

[larwdem]

71. NOT

one more dollar

[FreeLookMode]

88. The conflation of criticism of Israeli government with hating Jewish people is disgusting

It is also not accidental. It's a tactic. The Israeli government and its lobbyists in Washington are both more than happy to conflate the two, so that any criticism of occupation, oppressive policies, human rights abuses and the like can be dismissed by calling the person an anti-semite.

[Bettie]

91. I agree completely with this

he's right on this.