Internet shreds Bernie Sanders as he defends stance to oppose permanent ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war

WASHINGTON, DC: Veteran Democrat Senator Bernie Sanders sparked a fresh backlash as he doubled down on his position to oppose a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The 82-year-old appeared on CBS' 'Face The Nation' on Sunday, December 10, and claimed that he supports a temporary humanitarian pause in Gaza, but he believes Hamas wants a "permanent war."

"First of all, I strongly support and wish and hope that the United States will support the United Nations resolution that was vetoed, that we vetoed the other day," said Sanders.

He noted, "In terms of a permanent ceasefire, I don't know how you could have a permanent ceasefire when Hamas has said before October 7 and after October 7 that they want to destroy Israel." 

"They want a permanent war. I don't know how you have a permanent ceasefire with an attitude like that," added the former Mayor of Burlington.

What did Bernie Sanders say about the Israeli government?

Sanders agreed that Israel "has a right to defend itself" against Hamas but also condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approach toward the Middle Eastern conflict, according to Fox News.

The Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health has reported that more than 17,000 people have been killed in Gaza to date.

During 'Face The Nation', CBS host Margaret Brennan also pointed out that Israel claims to have killed over 7,000 fighters in Gaza but has not said how many civilians are believed to have died.

Sanders has maintained that if his colleagues in Congress accept more unconditional financing for Israel during the conflict, the United States will be complicit in an "all-out war against innocent men, women, and children who have nothing to do with Hamas."

During the interview, Brennan asked Sanders what he believes "Netanyahu's government's intent" is at this stage of the conflict.

To which, the Senator replied, "It really is hard to say. It may be that they're responding in rage against the horrific and terrible Hamas attack that killed 1,200 innocent Israelis."

He continued, "Or maybe in some of the right-wing extremist minds, there was the goal to drive the Palestinian people off of Gaza completely. But they have now destroyed about half of the housing units in Gaza. So, it's hard to predict."

Sanders further noted, "But I think when Gen. [Defense Secretary Lloyd] Austin said you can win the battle but lose the war, Israel is losing the war in terms of how the world is looking at this situation. And I think that it would be irresponsible for the United States to give Netanyahu another $10 billion to continue to wage this awful."

Internet reacts to Bernie Sanders' remarks regarding the Israel-Hamas war

Naturally, Sanders' remarks garnered immense social media attention, with users slamming him for defending his position to oppose a permanent ceasefire between Israel-Hamas.

One noted, "He is forcing himself to say this but feeling guilty inside as you can see his eyes," and another added, "The old man’s lost his former sense of right and wrong." 

Someone else wrote, "What kind of self defense.? Lying, stealing, killing, demolition of infrastructure, murdering, gossiping, slandering,all evil." 

"I want my money back @BernieSanders. Boy, how stupid of me for, once, believing in this man," expressed a person. 

A user mentioned, "Israel has the right to defend itself but Palestine doesn’t Wow… No one welcomes only one way traffic," while one more stated, "Bernie lost his entire support base." 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.