Sen. Bernie Sanders calls for end to U.S. military aid to Netanyahu government, accusing it of ‘genocidal policies’

Sen. Bernie Sanders renewed his call for the United States to halt military aid to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, saying Washington should not provide “another nickel” for policies he described as genocidal toward Palestinians.

“We have to make sure that the horrific extremist government of Netanyahu in Israel does not get another nickel to continue its genocidal policies against the Palestinian people,” Sanders said.

The Vermont independent has repeatedly argued that U.S. weapons and taxpayer funding should no longer support the Israeli government’s conduct in Gaza.

Sanders has increasingly used the term genocide to describe Israel’s campaign in Gaza. Earlier this month, he said Netanyahu’s government had “waged a genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza” and called for an end to U.S. military assistance.

He has also tied the issue to the U.S. midterm campaign, arguing that American voters are increasingly opposed to funding Netanyahu’s government and that domestic spending should take priority.

In separate remarks, Sanders accused President Donald Trump of using racism deliberately as a political strategy.

“Trump may be crazy, but he is not stupid,” Sanders said. “And his racism has a very clear purpose.”

Sanders has repeatedly argued that Trump uses attacks on immigrants, Muslims and other minority groups to divide voters and divert attention from economic issues including healthcare, wages and the cost of living.