Bernie Sanders: "Israel needs new leadership that supports a two-state solution"

Who?

Sen. Bernie Sanders — Vermont’s senior senator, an Independent unless he’s running for president as a Democrat

LISTEN: Laslo & Sanders

Reporters ask:

What do you make of the criticism that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is trying to sort of influence domestic politics in Israel? Is it a fair criticism?

Key Sanders: 

“We give $3.5 billion a year to Israel,” Sanders said. “The United States has supported Israel for decades, so this is very much an issue of concern for the American people. Sen. Schumer has every right to speak out about it.”

Caught our ear: 

“I think Sen. Schumer is right. Israel needs new leadership. Leadership that understands that the future is a two-state solution,” Sanders said.

Below find a rough transcript of Ask a Pol’s interview with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), slightly edited for clarity.

TRANSCRIPT: Sen. Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders: “I think Sen. Schumer’s right. Israel needs new leadership. Leadership that understands that the future is a two-state solution.”

Reporter: “What about the criticism that Sen. Schumer is trying to sort of influence domestic politics in Israel? I mean, what do you make of that criticism? Is it a fair criticism?”

BS: “We give $3.5 billion a year to Israel, and we’ll provide another $14 billion. So this becomes — the United States has supported Israel for decades, so this is very much an issue of concern for the American people. Sen. Schumer has every right to speak out about it.”

Reporter: “Do you think that the White House was inching closer to this position that Netanyahu is an obstacle to two-state solution?”

BS: “I think there is growing concern in Congress and among the American people about the extremism of Netanyahu.”

Reporter: “What about the Biden administration?”

BS: “I think they’re getting that.”

Reporter: “Okay. Thank you, senator.”