Public Comment

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton clashed over U.S. policy towards Israel. 

While Clinton parrots much of the traditional narrative, namely, unconditional support to Israel irrespective of its behavior, Sanders offers a more balanced approach vehemently opposing illegal settlements and the continuation of decades of military occupation which has devastated the lives of Palestinians. 

In a recent interview he stated “peace will mean ending what amounts to the occupation of Palestinian territory, establishing mutually agreed-upon borders, and pulling back settlements in the West Bank.” He echoed the sentiments of the international community, including the U.S. State Department and the European Union, in voicing his concern that Israel’s recent expropriation of an additional 579 acres of land in the West Bank undermines the peace process and, ultimately, Israeli security. 

In a recent interview, Professor Joel Beinin of Stanford University was extremely critical of Clinton’s false narrative blaming the Palestinians for the violence in Israel. Beinin alleged that on balance Israel has been the aggressor throughout its history. For example, Israel has aggressively attacked its neighbors in 1956, 1967, and 1982. Beinin also stated that the occupation and settlements are illegal under international law and expressed profound disappointment with Clinton’s lack of concern for the aspirations of the Palestinians. He was also critical of the Clintons’ cozying up to the brutal Egyptian dictator, Mubarak who repressed the democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people for decades.