Bernie Sanders Suggests Biden’s Support for Israel Could Turn Into His Vietnam

During an interview with Christiane Amanpour on CNN, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., cautioned that President Joe Biden’s support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas could become his “Vietnam moment.” Sanders drew parallels between Biden and former President Lyndon B. Johnson, whose presidency was overshadowed by the Vietnam War.

Sanders expressed concerns about the implications of Biden’s stance on Israel, stating, “This may be Biden’s Vietnam. Lyndon Johnson was a strong domestic president but faced opposition due to his Vietnam policies. I fear that President Biden is risking alienating not only young people but also a significant portion of the Democratic base with his support for Israel in this conflict.”

While denouncing violence, antisemitism, and bigotry, Sanders voiced his support for protesters on college campuses across the nation. He clarified that these individuals were protesting not in favor of Hamas but against the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. Sanders emphasized the importance of calling out the Israeli government’s approach and advocated for withholding military aid until certain conditions, such as humanitarian aid access and progress towards a two-state solution, are met.

Reflecting on his own activism during the civil rights movement in the 1960s, Sanders highlighted the significant role of demonstrations in driving progress on various social issues, including civil rights, apartheid, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights.