Bernie Sanders condemns ‘war criminal’ Netanyahu’s speech in Congress, police arrest 200 protesters

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech before the US Congress this Wednesday, calling him a “war criminal” who heads an “extreme right-wing government”. Sanders made these remarks on the Senate floor on Tuesday, as Congress awaits Netanyahu’s speech, which comes after US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race.

“Tomorrow will be a unique day when Prime Minister Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of Congress,” Sanders said Tuesday. It will be the first time in American history that a war criminal has received this honor. He added, “He should not be welcome in the United States Congress.”

Many Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott the speech on Wednesday.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris will not attend because of a scheduling conflict, according to an adviser.

Ahead of the speech, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D).

According to The New York Times, Maryland Senator Ben Cardin (D) will oversee the event. Cardin, an Orthodox Jew, has expressed his support for Israel in the months following the October 7 attacks and during Israel’s war in Gaza.

Sanders, an independent who is part of the Democrats, is among lawmakers who plan to boycott Netanyahu’s speech this Wednesday afternoon, reminding senators of the deaths in Gaza, hunger, destruction of homes and damage to the healthcare system and education.

Israel’s war on Gaza “tramples international law, American law and basic human values,” Sanders said. The United Nations has estimated that nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7.

“His (Netanyahu’s) policies in Gaza and the West Bank and his refusal to support a two-state solution must be condemned,” Sanders said in a statement on Monday. “Get one more cent more American taxpayer support to continue the inhumane destruction of Gaza.”

“Every university has been bombed and 88% of school buildings have been damaged,” Sanders said. “In other words, they are starving.”

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D) of New York said he would attend Wednesday’s speech but still attacked the Israeli prime minister, calling him “the worst leader in Jewish history.”

“Yesterday’s speech is the next step in a long series of bad-faith manipulative efforts by Republicans to further politicize the U.S.-Israel relationship for partisan gain, and it is a cynical ploy by Netanyahu aimed at helping his desperate political position at home,” Nadler said.

The invitation was originally extended by Johnson and supported by Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader in the House of Representatives, and Schumer, despite the latter having previously denounced Netanyahu and called for new elections in Israel.

Sanders previously supported Israel’s right to defend itself after the Oct. 7 attacks, as well as strikes against Hamas. “Since that attack, Netanyahu’s far-right government has waged a virtual all-out war against the entire Palestinian people,” Sanders said in the chamber on Tuesday.

In January, Sanders sponsored an unsuccessful Senate bill to condition US aid to Israel on respect for human rights and international law.

“This invitation to Netanyahu is disgraceful and we will remember it with regret,” Sanders said. “Dignity.”

200 people arrested in anti-Netanyahu protest

As Efe reports, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) arrested nearly 200 people this Tuesday for protesting in Congress against the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will deliver a speech in the legislature this Wednesday.

“Nearly 200 people were arrested for protesting inside the Cannon House Building. Protesting inside congressional buildings is illegal,” the USCP said in a statement.

This Tuesday’s protest took place in the symbolic Congress Rotunda, with dozens of people called by the organization “Jewish Voice for Peace” wearing red T-shirts with the message “Not in my name” written on them.

Protesters carried signs with slogans such as “Jews tell Congress: Stop sending arms to Israel” or “Nobody is free until everyone is free.”

After several warnings to stop the protest, the Congress police began arresting the protesters.

Several protests are expected this Wednesday against Netanyahu’s appearance in the federal capital, which has tightened security measures.