Bernie Sanders says he doesn’t buy Israeli version of events in Gaza

Senator Bernie Sanders is continuing to insist that Israel overreacted against Palestinian protesters in Gaza on Friday, telling CNN’s Jake Tapper that he does not buy Israel’s explanation.

“I think from my what my understanding is, tens and tens of thousands of people were engaged in a nonviolent protest. It’s a difficult situation, but my assessment is that Israel overreacted on that,” he says.

Sanders also says the US needs to take a more active role in solving the crisis in Gaza, and criticizes US President Donald Trump for saying the US is pulling out of Syria very soon.

“The US has got to be involved in dealing with the terrible tragedy in Gaza. Gaza is a disaster right now. We’re gonna continue to see those kinds of demonstration and protests,” he says.

On Saturday, he tweeted “The killing of Palestinian demonstrators by Israeli forces in Gaza is tragic.”

“It is the right of all people to protest for a better future without a violent response,” Sanders, who was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and the first Jewish presidential candidate to win nominating contests in a major party, added in his tweet.

The killing of Palestinian demonstrators by Israeli forces in Gaza is tragic. It is the right of all people to protest for a better future without a violent response.

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) March 31, 2018