Bernie Sanders Declares Israel’s Actions in Gaza ‘Genocide,’ Demands Immediate US Action

Senator Bernie Sanders has made a landmark declaration, stating on Wednesday that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a conclusion he termed “inescapable.” This makes him the first sitting US Senator to use the controversial term regarding the ongoing conflict.

In a statement titled, “It Is Genocide. The intent is clear,” published on his Senate webpage, Sanders asserted, “Over the last two years, Israel has not simply defended itself against Hamas. Instead, it has waged an all-out war against the entire Palestinian people.” His declaration follows an independent UN commission of experts’ conclusion on Monday that Israel’s actions “meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide convention,” a finding Sanders publicly agreed with.

Sanders underscored his reasoning by citing alarming casualty figures: at least 65,000 Palestinians killed and 164,000 wounded from a population of 2.2 million, with Israeli military data suggesting 83% of those killed were civilians. He also pointed to incendiary statements from Israeli officials, quoting Defense Minister Yoav Gallant calling Palestinians “human animals” and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowing “Gaza will be entirely destroyed,” as evidence of intent.

While acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense following the 7 October attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people, Sanders argued the response has disproportionately targeted all Palestinians in Gaza. He called for an end to US complicity in what he described as “the slaughter of the Palestinian people,” demanding an immediate ceasefire, a massive surge of UN-facilitated humanitarian aid, and initial steps towards a Palestinian state.

Sanders joins a growing list of US lawmakers, including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Vermont’s Becca Balint, who have also used the term genocide. His statement also comes as several nations, including Australia, France, Luxembourg, Malta, Canada, and the UK, plan to recognize Palestinian statehood at next week’s UN General Assembly in New York. Sanders reiterated his call for an end to US military aid to “Netanyahu’s genocidal government,” emphasizing that the term ‘genocide’ itself serves as a stark reminder of historical atrocities and the need for accountability to prevent future ones.

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