From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Bernie Sanders says he skipped Herzog speech since he ‘strongly opposes’ current gov’t
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — While he didn’t announce a boycott ahead of time, Sen. Bernie Sanders joined six Democrat party lawmakers in staying out of the chamber for President Isaac Herzog’s speech to a joint session of Congress.
In a statement afterward, Sanders says that “it’s no great secret that I strongly oppose the policies of Israel’s right-wing, anti-Palestinian government. We provide them with $3.8 billion in aid. We have a right to demand they respect human rights.”
Other progressives were on site for the speech, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who warmly shook Herzog’s hand before he reached the podium.
Others who skipped the speech were progressive Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Nydia Velazquez, Jamaal Bowman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush.
The Times of Israel Community.