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Report1212

(661 posts)
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 02:28 PM Jun 2015

Bernie Sanders: 'I'm Not a Great Fan' of Benjamin Netanyahu

Part of the Rehm interview that didn't make the news

REHM: How do you believe President Obama's relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu has affected our relationship with Israel?

SANDERS: Well, I gotta tell you, I am not a great fan of President Netanyahu I did not attend the speech that he gave before the joint session of Congress. I think it was opportunistic. I think he was using it as part of his campaign for re-election. I think he was being used or did use the Republicans to go behind the President's back. And I think in that region sadly on both sides I don't think we have the kind of leadership that we need. And so you know I think the President is trying to do the best that he can in enormously difficult circumstances.

Read more: http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/bernie-sanders-im-not-great-fan-benjamin-netanyahu
23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Bernie Sanders: 'I'm Not a Great Fan' of Benjamin Netanyahu (Original Post) Report1212 Jun 2015 OP
Bazinga randys1 Jun 2015 #1
I was very interested libodem Jun 2015 #2
Its very rare for a major party candidate to diss the Israeli government Report1212 Jun 2015 #4
Especially a Jewish one! KamaAina Jun 2015 #7
I always thought it would take a Jewish president LoveIsNow Jun 2015 #9
"Only Sanders could go to Israel"? KamaAina Jun 2015 #11
The man did live on a kibbutz, no? nt. LoveIsNow Jun 2015 #17
I just figured that out now. Wilms Jun 2015 #12
The Israel Lobby accuses Jewish critics of Israel of being self-hating Jews and worse, nt geek tragedy Jun 2015 #13
Sometimes. What is worse is when the non-Jewish left does it to Jews. Behind the Aegis Jun 2015 #14
I'm not Jewish, so correct me if I'm wrong awoke_in_2003 Jun 2015 #22
Why do you think this? Behind the Aegis Jun 2015 #23
Which is why there is so much fear of expressing these opinions publicly. LoveIsNow Jun 2015 #16
There is definitely this sort of home team advantage thing nt Report1212 Jun 2015 #21
I'm on the wrong side of this with some of my friends libodem Jun 2015 #8
I think Bernie could have been (and is) an outstanding diplomat. leveymg Jun 2015 #3
Any idea how the Jewish voters in the USA will respond to this? jwirr Jun 2015 #5
I say let the chips fall where they may madokie Jun 2015 #10
Most will respond with "meh" or "ok". A few may be enthusiastic. Behind the Aegis Jun 2015 #15
Thank you. I assumed that would be the answer but since I am not Jewish I needed to ask. jwirr Jun 2015 #18
His opinion likely echoes many on his same side, so it isn't really a big deal. Behind the Aegis Jun 2015 #19
You are very welcome. jwirr Jun 2015 #20
I was very glad he didn't go... joeybee12 Jun 2015 #6

libodem

(19,288 posts)
2. I was very interested
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 02:33 PM
Jun 2015

In that part. It starts about 25-26 minutes in. I was very impressed with Bernie's well reasoned responses. I think I love Bernie.

I respect Mrs Clinton very much and wish her well but I love Bernie.

Report1212

(661 posts)
4. Its very rare for a major party candidate to diss the Israeli government
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 02:34 PM
Jun 2015

But if any Israeli government deserves it, it is this one

LoveIsNow

(356 posts)
9. I always thought it would take a Jewish president
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 04:27 PM
Jun 2015

to express a moderate, reasonable perspective on Israel. Anyone else wouldn't have the chutzpah.

Behind the Aegis

(54,074 posts)
14. Sometimes. What is worse is when the non-Jewish left does it to Jews.
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 04:51 PM
Jun 2015

While it should be avoided by any group, when an outsider group is the one calling a Jew a "self-hating" Jew, it is an insult on two levels. It is the "cousin" of those who call Jews "Israeli-firsters" and accuse of us of being more loyal to Israel or other Jews.

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
22. I'm not Jewish, so correct me if I'm wrong
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 11:02 PM
Jun 2015

but I always thought Michael Savage is self-hating. Feel free to set me straight if I'm wrong.

LoveIsNow

(356 posts)
16. Which is why there is so much fear of expressing these opinions publicly.
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 05:05 PM
Jun 2015

But in my Jewish circle of friends and family, there are many who will express them privately.

One can still be pro-Israel while being anti-Netanyahu and pro-peace. If one has Israel's long-term prosperity and security at heart, I would argue that those are the only logical positions.

libodem

(19,288 posts)
8. I'm on the wrong side of this with some of my friends
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 02:53 PM
Jun 2015

They say shit like: the Palestinians' voted in Haamas for their government, Haamas equates to a terrorist organization therefore the people of Sumaria and Judea deserve not to have medicine and building materials. I get it.

All in all those are my kind of friends because they are defending the Jews. We both read 'The Source' in fact he gave it to me. I have a huge heart for the history of the Hebrews and all of the miserable tribulations they have been put through.

But Bernie put it clearly and respectfully that just because Israel has a right to exist doesnt mean you need to exterminate a segment of the population, for Israeli apartments.

leveymg

(36,418 posts)
3. I think Bernie could have been (and is) an outstanding diplomat.
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 02:33 PM
Jun 2015

He is certainly being diplomatic toward everyone in his language during that interview. Considering the subject, that is no easy task. The more I know about Sanders, the more my respect for him grows.

Behind the Aegis

(54,074 posts)
15. Most will respond with "meh" or "ok". A few may be enthusiastic.
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 04:53 PM
Jun 2015

The Republican Jews, they will respond....oh, who cares. I don't.

Behind the Aegis

(54,074 posts)
19. His opinion likely echoes many on his same side, so it isn't really a big deal.
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 05:11 PM
Jun 2015

That's why I said most would see it as "meh", not anything earth-shattering or even controversial. I am sure there are few who might take issue with it; I certainly don't.

ETA: You're welcome BTW; sorry, I forgot to put that in and did not acknowledge your courtesy.

 

joeybee12

(56,177 posts)
6. I was very glad he didn't go...
Mon Jun 15, 2015, 02:40 PM
Jun 2015

And disappointed so many dem congress critters said, "Gee, isn't it awful what Netanyahu is doing? But I'll still go."

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