Bernie Sanders Writes Essay On Anti-Semitism For Jewish Publication

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Democratic presidential hopeful Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters at a campaign rally in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 3, 2019. (KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Bernie Sanders published an essay titled “How to Fight Antisemitism” — perhaps his most expansive written consideration of his Jewish identity — in a Jewish publication on Monday.

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In the article for the left-wing magazine Jewish Currents, the Democratic presidential candidate says he is firmly proud to be Jewish and to support Israel. He also argues that denying the right of Jews to self-determination is anti-Semitic.

Otherwise, Sanders focuses on the rise of anti-Semitism in the U.S., mostly as it manifests on the right, and criticizes President Donald Trump. But he also notes the existence of anti-Semitism from the left.

“I think it is very important for everyone, but particularly for progressives, to acknowledge the enormous achievement of establishing a democratic homeland for the Jewish people after centuries of displacement and persecution,” Sanders writes about Israel. “It is true that some criticism of Israel can cross the line into antisemitism, especially when it denies the right of self-determination to Jews, or when it plays into conspiracy theories about outsized Jewish power.”

Sanders, who notes his time spent in Israel in 1963 when he was a young man, also speaks out for Palestinian rights.

“My pride and admiration for Israel lives alongside my support for Palestinian freedom and independence,” he says. “I reject the notion that there is any contradiction there.”

Sanders has allied with surrogates like Linda Sarsour, an activist, and Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan congresswoman, who are harshly critical of Israel — not just because of its policies, but of its status as a Jewish state.

The Vermont senator also argues that Trump’s “own words helped inspire the worst act of antisemitic violence in American history,” referring to the shooting a year ago at the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh that left 11 dead.

“We will confront this hatred, do exactly the opposite of what Trump is doing and embrace our differences to bring people together,” Sanders writes.


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anonymous
anonymous
4 years ago

he is one sick dude

Bernie is no lover of Israel, is mum on dem anti semitism
Bernie is no lover of Israel, is mum on dem anti semitism
4 years ago

What a piece of trash. He didn’t say one word about the many anti semitic statements by his party members and their support for BDS! What a nerve to dare breathe Trump’s name! Trump is an oheivYisroel like we’ve never see before in any president or any politician, and Bernie should learn from him!

Kollelfaker
Kollelfaker
4 years ago

Please remember trump has Jewish grandchildren does Bernie

ayingele
ayingele
4 years ago

Fake statement from a “Faker”

Democrats support Jew haters
Democrats support Jew haters
4 years ago

This JINO wants to fund hamas his proxies are Jew haters, he supports and defends Jew haters(can’t really hold that one against him as all the democrats support and defend theier Jew hating congressional colleagues), he constantly love is Israel.

Judith
Judith
4 years ago

The main people provoking modern day antisemitism are Bernie and his partners in crime