Sanders: I Would ‘Absolutely’ Consider Cutting Aid to Israel

EXCERPT:

FAVREAU: "You’ve been very critical of Bibi Netanyahu and the Israeli government. We spent a few billion dollars on aid to Israel. Would you ever consider using that aid as leverage to get the Israeli government to act differently?"
SANDERS: "Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, we are giving large sums of money. Look — I mean, let me back it up before the tweets start flowing in. I lived in Israel. Actually, I worked in the kibbutz for a number of months. I have family in Israel. I am Jewish. I am not anti-Israel, okay? I believe that the people of Israel have absolutely the right to live in peace, independence and security. ENd of discussion. That is what I fervently believe. But I think what has happened is in recent years under Netanyahu you have an extreme right-wing government with many racist tendencies. The role of the United States, and this is not easy, you know, believe me, Clinton tried it, Obama tried it, Jimmy Carter tried it, this is not easy stuff, is to try to finally bring the peace to the Middle East and to treat the Palestinian people with a kind of respect and dignity they deserve.”