Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has drawn a parallel between the current anti-war student protests on US campuses and the protests during Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency in the late 1960s against the Vietnam War. Sanders expressed concerns that President Joe Biden's stance on Israel's war on Gaza may be alienating young voters, likening it to Johnson's Vietnam dilemma.
Sanders highlighted the significance of understanding the motivations behind the protests, emphasizing that students are not demonstrating in support of Hamas but rather against the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. He commended the students for protesting against sustained US aid to what he referred to as a 'right-wing extremist Netanyahu government.'
Expressing his worries about Biden's position on Israel, Sanders urged the President to reconsider the unconditional support provided to Israel, stating that such support has not been beneficial. He emphasized the need for Biden to recognize the concerns of the Democratic base and young voters who are critical of the current US policy towards Israel.
Referring to the protests as a reflection of broader discontent within the Democratic base, Sanders cautioned that Biden's alignment with Israel's actions could have political repercussions similar to Johnson's decision not to seek re-election due to opposition to his Vietnam War policies.
In conclusion, Sanders called for a reevaluation of US support for Israel from both a policy and moral standpoint, urging Biden to cease providing unwavering backing to the Netanyahu government. The Senator's remarks underscore the growing dissent within the Democratic Party over the handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict and the potential implications for Biden's presidency.
