LIVE: Student protests, Gaza, and the humanitarian disaster

Summary

In a passionate speech, the Senator from Vermont emphasizes the importance of the First Amendment rights, particularly the right to protest, as a cornerstone of American freedom. He pays tribute to civil rights activist John Lewis and condemns violence on campuses, regardless of the cause. The Senator strongly criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's equating of criticism with anti-Semitism, asserting that highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the impact of Israeli policies on civilians is not anti-Semitic but a factual necessity. He calls for accountability and a reevaluation of the U.S.'s support for Israel, citing recent polls that show a significant portion of Americans support a ceasefire and are against sending weapons to Israel. The Senator urges the media and Congress to focus on the real violence and suffering in Gaza rather than solely on domestic protests.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Senator from Vermont, Mr. Sanders, emphasized the importance of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the freedom of speech, religion, and the right to assemble.
• 🕊️ Mr. Sanders honored the late Congressman John Lewis for his significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting his numerous arrests for protesting segregation and racism.
• 🚫 He condemned any form of violence on campuses, including those committed by individuals supporting or opposing Israel's war policies.
• 🌎 Sanders highlighted the American tradition of protesting injustice and expressing opinions, which is a fundamental part of American freedom.
• ⏳ He drew attention to the 60th anniversary of student demonstrators occupying a building at Columbia University, linking past anti-war protests to current events.
• 🇮🇱 Sanders criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for its actions against Palestinians, arguing that criticizing these actions is not anti-Semitic.
• 🏠 He detailed the destruction of housing units, healthcare systems, universities, and civilian infrastructure in Gaza due to the Israeli government's policies.
• 🤔 Sanders questioned the media's focus on campus protests rather than the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging for more coverage of the latter.
• 📊 He cited recent polls indicating that a majority of Americans support a ceasefire, do not wish to send weapons to Israel, and disapprove of the U.S. government's policy on Israel and Gaza.
• 💵 The Senator reminded the Senate of its recent decision to provide $10 billion in unvetted military aid to Israel, suggesting it's time to rethink this decision.
• ✊ In conclusion, Mr. Sanders called for accountability of Netanyahu's government for their actions and argued against the distraction of accusations of anti-Semitism.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the speech by the Senator from Vermont?

The main topic of the speech is the importance of the right to protest as part of American freedom, as protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and the Senator's concern about the U.S. government's support for Israel's policies towards Palestine.

What does the Senator emphasize about the First Amendment?

The Senator emphasizes that the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech, religion, and the right to peaceably assemble for the redress of grievances, which includes the right to protest.

How does the Senator remember the late Congressman John Lewis?

The Senator remembers Congressman John Lewis for his heroic role in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting his numerous arrests for protests against segregation and racism.

What historical protests does the Senator mention?

The Senator mentions the lunch counter protests at Woolworth and elsewhere, protests against sexism and homophobia, and protests against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What is the Senator's stance on violence during protests?

The Senator condemns all forms of violence during protests, whether by those supporting or opposing Israel's war policies, and emphasizes that violence has no place on college campuses or anywhere else.

What does the Senator say about the growth of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the U.S.?

The Senator expresses concern about the growth of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the U.S., stating that these forms of bigotry must be condemned and eliminated.

How does the Senator respond to the Israeli Prime Minister's statement equating criticism of his government with anti-Semitism?

The Senator strongly disagrees with the Israeli Prime Minister's statement, arguing that pointing out the consequences of the government's actions in Gaza does not make one anti-Semitic, but rather is a factual representation of the situation.

What recent Senate vote does the Senator reference?

The Senator references a recent Senate vote to provide an additional $10 billion in unvetted military aid to Israel.

What does the Senator suggest regarding the U.S. Congress's decision on military aid to Israel?

The Senator suggests that it may be time for the U.S. Congress to rethink their decision to provide additional military aid to Israel, considering the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the will of the American people.

What does the Senator request from the media?

The Senator requests the media to shift their focus from the protests on American college campuses to the violence and suffering in Gaza, showing the real impact of the policies on the Palestinian people.

What is the Senator's final message to Congress?

The Senator's final message is that it is incomprehensible that many members of Congress are attacking protesters rather than addressing the Israeli government's actions, which have caused the protests and the horrific situation in Gaza.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Upholding the First Amendment and Honoring Civil Rights Heroes

The speaker begins by reminding the audience of the importance of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects the freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The Senator from Vermont also pays tribute to the late Congressman John Lewis for his significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting his numerous arrests in the fight against segregation and racism. The paragraph emphasizes the American tradition of protesting injustice and the constitutional right to do so.

05:01

🕊️ Denouncing Violence and Bigotry in All Forms

The speaker expresses concern over violence on college campuses and condemns specific acts of violence, such as the window breaking at Columbia University and the attack on a peaceful antiwar encampment at UCLA. The paragraph also addresses the broader issues of increasing anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the country, urging for their condemnation and eradication. The Senator refutes the notion that being pro-Palestinian equates to being pro-Hamas and criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's equation of criticism of his government's policies with anti-Semitism.

10:03

🏡 The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and the Destruction of Infrastructure

The paragraph details the devastating impact of the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, highlighting the large number of civilian casualties, most of whom are women and children. The Senator condemns the destruction of housing units, the annihilation of Gaza's healthcare system, the destruction of educational institutions, and the obliteration of civilian infrastructure, which has led to a humanitarian disaster. The speaker emphasizes that pointing out these facts is not anti-Semitic but rather a call for accountability and an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people.

15:06

🤝 American Public Opinion and the Call for a Ceasefire

The Senator discusses public opinion polls that indicate a majority of Americans support a ceasefire and disapprove of sending weapons and supplies to Israel. The paragraph points out that the American people, regardless of political affiliation, do not wish to be complicit in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The speaker calls for the U.S. Congress to listen to the American people and reconsider its decision to provide additional military aid to Israel.

20:07

🌎 Redirecting Media Focus and Holding the Israeli Government Accountable

The final paragraph calls for a shift in media focus from protests on American college campuses to the violence and suffering in Gaza. The Senator criticizes members of Congress for attacking protesters rather than addressing the issues caused by the Israeli government's policies. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the need to hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions, especially in light of the U.S.'s significant financial support to Israel.

Keywords

💡First Amendment

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects several fundamental rights, including freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. In the script, it is invoked to emphasize the American tradition of protesting injustice and expressing opinions as a form of exercising these rights.

💡Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement refers to the decades-long struggle for social justice and equal rights for African Americans in the United States, which included protests, sit-ins, and legislative efforts. The script mentions the late Congressman John Lewis, a prominent figure in this movement, to highlight the importance of peaceful protests in achieving social change.

💡Protesting

Protesting is a form of political expression and activism where individuals or groups publicly express their opposition to certain policies, actions, or decisions. The script discusses the role of protests in American history, including those against racism, sexism, and environmental degradation, emphasizing their significance in democratic societies.

💡Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was a conflict in Southeast Asia from 1955 to 1975, involving the United States and other countries in support of South Vietnam against North Vietnam and the Viet Cong. The script references the opposition to this war, highlighting the impact of protests on policy and public opinion.

💡Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism refers to hostility or prejudice against Jewish people. The script condemns this form of bigotry and distinguishes it from legitimate criticism of Israeli policies, arguing that criticism of a government's actions is not inherently anti-Semitic.

💡Islamophobia

Islamophobia is the fear, hatred, or prejudice against Muslims or Islam. The script calls for the condemnation and elimination of all forms of bigotry, including the growing instances of Islamophobia in the United States.

💡Humanitarian Disaster

A humanitarian disaster is a crisis that involves widespread human suffering and distress, often requiring emergency relief efforts. The script describes the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian disaster, with a focus on the impact of war on civilians, particularly women and children.

💡Military Aid

Military aid refers to the provision of military resources, such as weapons, supplies, or financial assistance, to another country. The script discusses U.S. military aid to Israel, questioning its morality and legality in the context of the conflict in Gaza.

💡Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician who has served as Prime Minister of Israel. The script criticizes Netanyahu's government for its policies towards Palestine and accuses it of creating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

💡Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian political organization with a military wing, considered a terrorist organization by some countries, including the United States and Israel. The script makes a clear distinction between supporting Palestinian rights and supporting Hamas, asserting that criticism of Israeli policies is not an endorsement of terrorism.

💡Media Bias

Media bias refers to the systemic favoritism or ideological selectivity in the presentation of news and information. The script accuses the media of focusing too much on campus protests and not enough on the broader context of international conflicts, such as the situation in Gaza.

Highlights

Senator from Vermont reminds colleagues about the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, emphasizing the rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.

Honors the late Congressman John Lewis for his role in the Civil Rights Movement and his numerous arrests protesting segregation and racism.

Highlights the importance of protests in American history, including those against sexism, homophobia, and for environmental causes.

Condemns violence on campuses, including the specific incidents at Columbia University and UCLA.

Addresses the growth of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the U.S., urging condemnation and action against all forms of bigotry.

Clarifies that supporting Palestinian rights does not equate to supporting terrorism, rejecting attempts to conflate the two.

Criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's equating of criticism of his government's policies with anti-Semitism as outrageous.

Provides statistics on the casualties and destruction caused by the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, emphasizing that acknowledging these facts is not anti-Semitic.

Condemns the destruction of Gaza's healthcare system, universities, and civilian infrastructure by the Israeli government.

Argues against the blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the resulting humanitarian disaster.

Expresses concern over the U.S. government's support and funding of the Israeli government's actions, despite American public opinion polls showing support for a ceasefire and decreased military aid.

Suggests that the U.S. Congress should listen to the American people and rethink its decision to provide additional military aid to Israel.

Implores media to shift focus from campus protests to the violence and suffering in Gaza, urging them to show the true extent of the humanitarian crisis.

Questions why Congress is focusing on attacking protesters rather than addressing the actions of the Israeli government that have led to these protests.

Calls for accountability of Netanyahu and his government for their actions, asserting that doing so is not anti-Semitic but a moral imperative.

Urges for a broader perspective on the situation, asking for a more balanced media coverage and a more compassionate approach from the U.S. government.

Transcripts

THE PRESIDING OFFICER: THE

SENATOR FROM VERMONT.

MR. SANDERS: MR. PRESIDENT, SOME

OF US HAVE BEEN OUT OF SCHOOL

FOR A WHILE AND WE MAY HAVE

FORGOTTEN OUR AMERICAN HISTORY,

BUT I DID WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT

TO REMIND SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES

ABOUT A DOCUMENT CALLED THE U.S.

CONST

CONSTITUTION, AND SPECIFICALLY

THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THAT

CONSTITUTION.

SO FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE

FORG

FORGOTTEN, HERE IS WHAT THE

FIRST AMENDMENT SAYS.

QUOTE, CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO

LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT

OF RELIGION OR PROHIBITING THE

FREE EXERCISE THEREOF OR

ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH

OR THE RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO

PEACEFULLY ASSEMBLE FOR A

REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.

END OF QUOTE.

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED

STATES.

LET ME ALSO, MR. PRESIDENT, TAKE

THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REMEMBER OUR

LATE COLLEAGUE, THE FORMER

CONGRESSWOMAN JOHN LEWIS FOR HIS

HEROIC ROLE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS

MOVEMENT.

I KNOW IT'S VERY EASY TO HEAP

PRAISE ON CONGRESSMAN LOUIS AND

MANY OTHERS DECADES AFTER THEY

DID -- LEWIS AND MANY OTHERS

DECADES AFTER THEY DID WHAT THEY

DID, BUT CONGRESSMAN LEWIS WAS

ARRESTED 45 TIMES FOR SIT INS

AND PROTESTS, 45 TIMES FOR

PROTESTING SEGREGATION AND

RACISM.

I WOULD REMIND MY COLLEAGUES

THAT THE LUNCH COUNTER PROTEST

AT WOOLWORTH AND WELL WHERE --

AND ELSEWHERE WERE IN FACT SIT

INS AND OCCUPATIONS WHERE YOUNG

BLACK AND WHITE AMERICANS

BRAVELY TOOK UP SPACE IN PRIVATE

BUSINESSES DEMANDING AN END TO

THE RACISM AND SEGREGATION THAT

EXISTED AT THAT TIME.

FURTHER, AS I HOPE EVERYBODY

KNOWS, WE HAVE ALSO SEEN IN

RECENT DECADES PROTESTS, SOME OF

THEM MASSIVE PROTESTS, AGAINST

SEXISM, AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, AND

THE NEED TO TRANSFORM OUR ENERGY

SYSTEM AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUEL IN

ORDER TO SAVE THIS PLANET.

IN OTHER WORDS, PROTESTING

INJUSTICE AND EXPRESSING OUR

OPINIONS IS PART OF OUR AMERICAN

TRADITION.

AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AMERICA

BEING A FREE COUNTRY, WELL, YOU

KNOW WHAT, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT

OR NOT, THE RIGHT TO PROTEST IS

WHAT AMERICAN FREEDOM IS ALL

ABOUT.

THAT'S THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

AND, MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME ALSO

REMIND YOU THAT EXACTLY 60 YEARS

AGO, IRONICALLY, EXACTLY 60

YEARS AGO, STUDENT DEMONSTRATORS

OCCUPIED THE EXACT SAME BUILDING

ON COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS

AS IS TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW.

IRONICALLY THE SAME BUILDING 60

YEARS AGO.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY STUDENTS AND

OTHERS, INCLUDING MYSELF, I

WOULD SAY, JOINED PEACEFUL

DEMONSTRATIONS IN OPPOSITION TO

THE WAR IN VIETNAM.

THOSE DEMONSTRATORS WERE

DEMANDING AN END TO THAT WAR AND

MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, TENS OF

THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN LIVES AND

COUNTLESS A VOTVIETNAMESE LIVEST

HAVE BEEN SAVED IF THE

GOVERNMENT AT THAT -- VIETNAMESE

IF THE GOVERNMENT AT THAT TIME

LISTENED TO THE DEMO I MIGHT AL

PRESIDENT AT THAT TIME, A GREAT

PRESIDENT AT THAT TIME, LYNDON

JOHNSON, CHOSE NOT TO RUN FOR

PRESIDENT DUE TO THE OPPOSITION

OF HIM FROM THE VIETNAM WAR.

FURTHER, NOT US -- LET US NOT

FORGET THOSE WHO PROTESTED

AGAINST THE FAILED WARS IN IRAQ

AND AFGHANISTAN.

MAYBE THOSE PROTESTORS SHOULD

HAVE BEEN LISTENED TO AS WELL.

SHOCKABLE SHOCKS, GOVERNMENT'S

POLICY IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT.

MR. PRESIDENT, I NOTED RECENTLY

THAT A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES

IN BOTH PARTIES, NOT JUST THE

REPUBLICAN PARTY BUT THE

DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS WELL, AS

WELL AS MANY NEWS REPORTERS, TV,

NEWSPAPERS, THEY ARE VERY

CONCERNED -- VERY, VERY

CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROTESTS AND

VIOLENCE WE ARE SEEING ON

CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO LET ME BE VERY CLEAR.

I SHARE THOSE CONCERNS ABOUT

VIOLENCE ON CAMPUS, OR FOR THAT

MATTER ANY PLACE ELSE, AND I

CONDEMN THOSE WHO THREW A BRICK

THROUGH A WINDOW AT COLUMBIA

UNIVERSITY.

THAT KIND OF VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT

BE TAKING PLACE ON COLLEGE

CAMPUSES.

I ALSO AM CONCERNED AND CONDEMN

THE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AT UCLA

IN CALIFORNIA WHO VIOLENTLY

ATTACKED THE PEACEFUL ENCAMPMENT

OF ANTIWAR DEMONSTRATORS ON THE

CAMPUS OF UCLA.

SO, MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME BE

CLEAR.

I CONDEMN ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE

ON CAMPUS WHETHER THEY ARE

COMMITTED BY PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT

ISRAEL'S WAR POLICIES OR BY

PEOPLE WHO OPPOSE THOSE

POLICIES.

FURTHER, I WOULD HOPE THAT ALL

OF US CAN AGREE THAT IN THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ALL

FORMS OF BIGOTRY MUST BE

CONDEMNED AND ELIMINATED.

WE ARE SEEING A GROWTH OF

ANTI-SEMITISM IN THIS COUNTRY,

WHICH WE MUST ALL CONDEMN AND

WORK TO STOP.

WE ARE ALSO SEEING A GROWTH OF

ISLAMAPHOBIA IN THIS COUNTRY,

WHICH WE MUST ALL CONDEMN AND

STOP.

AND IN THAT REGARD, MR.

PRESIDENT, I WOULD MENTION THAT

IN MY VERY OWN CITY OF

BURLINGTON, VERMONT, THREE

WONDERFUL YOUNG PALESTINIAN

STUDENTS WERE SHOT AT CLOSE

RANGE ON NOVEMBER 25 OF LAST

YEAR.

THEY WERE VISITING A FAMILY

MEMBER TO CELEBRATE

THANKSGIVING, WALKING DOWN THE

STREET, AND THEY WERE SHOT.

AND, MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME MAKE

AN ADDITIONAL POINT.

I HAVE NOTED THAT THERE IS AN

INCREASING TENDENCY IN THE MEDIA

AND ON THE PART OF SOME OF MY

COLLEAGUES HERE IN THE SENATE TO

USE THE WORD -- THE PHRASE

PRO-PALESTINIAN TO SUGGEST THAT

THAT MEANS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE

PRO-PALESTINIAN ARE PRO-HAMAS.

TO MY MIND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE

AND IT IS FACTUALLY INACCURATE.

THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF

AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND PROTESTORS,

UNDERSTAND THAT HAMAS IS A

TERRORIST ORGANIZATION THAT

STARTED THIS WAR BY ATTACKING

ISRAEL IN AN INCORRECTABLY

BRUTAL AND HORRIFIC WAY ON

OCTOBER 7.

TO STAND UP FOR PALESTINIAN

RIGHTS AND THE DIGNITY OF THE

PALESTINIAN PEOPLE DOES NOT MAKE

ONE A SUPPORTER OF TERRORISM.

AND LET ME ALSO MENTION

SOMETHING THAT I FOUND RATHER

EXTRAORDINARY, AND I'VE BEEN IN

POLITICS FOR A WHILE, BUT I DID

FIND THIS ONE PARTICULARLY

EXTRAORDINARY AND OUTRAGEOUS,

AND THAT IS JUST A FEW DAYS AGO

ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN

NETANYAHU, THE LEADER OF THE

RIGHT-WING EXTREMIST GOVERNMENT

IN ISRAEL, A GOVERNMENT WHICH

CONTAINS OUT AND OUT AN

ANTI-PALESTINIAN RACISTS,

NETANYAHU ISSUED A STATEMENT IN

WHICH HE EQUATED CRITICISM OF

HIS GOVERNMENT'S ILLEGAL AND

IMMORAL WAR AGAINST THE

PALESTINIAN PEOPLE WITH

ANTI-SEMITISM.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU ARE

PROTESTING OR DISAGREE WITH WHAT

NETANYAHU AND HIS EXTREMIST

GOVERNMENT ARE DOING IN GAZA,

YOU ARE AN ANTI-SEMITE.

WELL, THAT IS AN OUT RAGEOUS

STATEMENT FROM A LEADER WHO IS

CLEARLY TRYING DO SOMETHING --

AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I GUESS

HE IS SUCCEEDING WITH THE

AMERICAN MEDIA -- AND THAT IS TO

DEFLECT ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE

HORRIFIC POLICIES THAT HIS

GOVERNMENT IS PURSUING IN GAZA

WHICH HAS CREATED AN

UNPRECEDENTED HUMANITARIAN

DISASTER.

SO LET ME BE AS CLEAR AS I CAN

BE.

IT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC OR

PRO-HAMAS TO POINT OUT THAT IN

ALMOST SEVEN MONTHS -- THE LAST

SEVEN MONTHS, NETANYAHU'S

EXTREMIST GOVERNMENT HAS KILLED

34,000 PALESTINIANS AND WOUNDED

MORE THAN 77,000.

70% OF WHOM ARE WOMEN AND

CHILDREN.

5% OF THE 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE IN

GAZA HAVE BEEN KILLED OR

INJURED, 70% OF WHOM ARE WOMEN

AND CHILDREN.

AND TO PROTEST THAT OR TO POINT

THAT OUT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC, IT

IS SIMPLY FACTUAL.

IT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO POINT

OUT THAT NETANYAHU'S

GOVERNMENT'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN

HAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED MORE

THAN 221,000 HOUSING UNITS IN

GAZA.

SO OVER 60% OF THE HOUSING UNITS

IN GAZA HAVE BEEN DAMAGED OR

DESTROYED, LEAVING MORE THAN ONE

MILLION PEOPLE HOMELESS, ABOUT

HALF THE POPULATION.

NO, MR. NETANYAHU, IT IS NOT

ANTI-SEMITIC TO POINT OUT WHAT

YOU HAVE DONE IN TERMS OF THE

DESTRUCTION OF HOUSING IN GAZA.

IT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO

UNDERSTAND THAT NETANYAHU'S

GOVERNMENT HAS ANNIHILATED

GAZA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM,

KNOCKING 26 HOSPITALS OUT OF

SERVICE AND KILLING MORE THAN

400 HEALTH CARE WORKERS AT A

TIME WHEN 77,000 PEOPLE HAVE

BEEN WOUNDED AND DESPERATELY

NEED MEDICAL CARE, NETANYAHU'S

GOVERNMENT HAS SYSTEMATICALLY

DESTROYED THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

IN GAZA.

IT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO

CONDEMN NETANYAHU'S GOVERNMENT

FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL OF

GAZA'S 12 UNIVERSITIES.

THEY HAD 12 UNIVERSITIES,

THEY'RE ALL DESTROYED.

IT'S NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO MAKE

THAT POINT NOR IS IT

ANTI-SEMITIC TO MAKE THE POINT

THAT 56 OTHER SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN

DESTROYED, HUNDREDS MORE HAVE

BEEN DAMAGED, AND TODAY 625,000

CHILDREN IN GAZA HAVE NO

OPPORTUNITY FOR AN EDUCATION.

IT'S NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO MAKE

THAT POINT.

IT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO NOTE

THAT NETANYAHU'S GOVERNMENT HAS

OBLITERATED GAZA'S CIVILIAN

INFRASTRUCTURE.

THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO

ELECTRICITY IN GAZA RIGHT NOW,

VIRTUALLY NO CLEAN WATER IN GAZA

RIGHT NOW, AND SEWAGE IS SEEPING

OUT ON TO THE STREETS.

NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO MAKE THAT

POINT.

MR. PRESIDENT, IT IS NOT

ANTI-SEMITIC TO AGREE WITH

VIRTUALLY EVERY HUMANITARIAN

ORGANIZATION THAT FUNCTIONS IN

THE GAZA AREA.

IN SAYING THAT NETANYAHU'S

GOVERNMENT IN VIOLATION OF

AMERICAN WAR HAS UNREASONABLY

BLOCKED HUMANITARIAN AID COMING

INTO GAZA, AND THEY HAVE CREATED

THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF

CHILDREN IN GAZA FACE

MALNUTRITION AND FAMINE.

IT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO LOOK

AT PHOTOGRAPHS OF SKELETALS OF

CHILDREN WHO ARE STARVING TO

DEATH BECAUSE THEY'VE NOT BEEN

ABLE TO GET THE FOOD THAT ME

NEED.

-- THAT THEY NEED.

IT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO AGREE

WITH AMERICAN OFFICIALS AND U.N.

OFFICIALS THAT PARTS OF GAZA

COULD BECOME FAMINE DISTRICTS IN

THE NOT VERY DISTANT FUTURE.

MR. PRESIDENT, ANTI-SEMITISM IS

A VILE AND DISGUSTING FORM OF

BIGOTRY THAT HAS DONE

UNSPEAKABLE HARM TO MANY

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FOR HUNDREDS

OF YEARS, INCLUDING MY OWN

FAMILY, I MIGHT ADD.

BUT IT IS OUTRAGEOUS, AND IT IS

DISGRACEFUL TO USE THE CHARGE OF

ANTI-SEMITISM TO DISTRACT US

FROM THE IMMORAL AND ILLEGAL WAR

POLICIES THAT NETANYAHU'S

EXTREMIST AND RACIST GOVERNMENT

IS PURSUING.

FURTHERMORE, IT IS REALLY CHEAP

POLITICS FOR NETANYAHU TO USE

THE CHARGE OF ANTI-SEMITISM TO

DEFLECT ATTENTION FROM THE

CRIMINAL INDICTMENT THAT HE IS

FACING IN ISRAELI COURTS.

BOTTOM LINE, MR. PRESIDENT, IT

IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC TO HOLD

NETANYAHU AND HIS GOVERNMENT

ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

THAT IS NOT ANTI-SEMITIC.

THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT WE SHOULD

BE DOING.

BECAUSE AMONG OTHER THINGS, WE

ARE THE GOVERNMENT IN THE WORLD

THAT HAS SUPPLIED OVER A PERIOD

OF YEARS AND MOST RECENTLY

BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

TO NETANYAHU IN ORDER FOR HIM TO

CONTINUE HIS HORRIFIC WAR

AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.

MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD ALSO

POINT OUT THAT WHILE THERE HAS

BEEN WALL-TO-WALL TV COVERAGE OF

STUDENT PROTESTS -- I THINK

THAT'S ABOUT ALL CNN DOES NOW --

I SHOULD MENTION IT IS NOT JUST

YOUNG PEOPLE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

THAT ARE EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT

OUR GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT AND

FUNDING FOR THIS ILLEGAL AND

IMMORAL WAR, AND I WOULD POINT

OUT THAT JUST LAST WEEK, JUST

LAST WEEK, THIS SENATE VOTED TO

GIVE NETANYAHU ANOTHER $10

BILLION OF UNVETTED MILITARY AID

TO CONTINUE HIS WAR.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST THE

PROTESTERS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

WHO DISAGREE WITH THAT DECISION.

IT IS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND LET ME JUST QUOTE FROM A FEW

POLLS THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN

TAKEN.

APRIL 14, A POLL FROM "POLITICO"

MORNING CONSULT.

67% SUPPORT THE UNITED STATES

CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE.

THIS IS AT A TIME WHEN NETANYAHU

IS THREATENING NOW TO EXPAND THE

WAR INTO RAFAH.

APRIL 12 CBS POLL, 60% OF THE

AMERICAN PEOPLE THINK THE U.S.

SHOULD NOT SEND WEAPONS AND

SUPPLIES TO ISRAEL AS OPPOSED TO

40% WHO THINK THE U.S. SHOULD.

AND FOR MY DEMOCRATSIC

COLLEAGUES, AS YOU WELL KNOW,

THOSE NUMBERS ARE

DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGHER AMONG

THE DEMOCRATIC COMMUNITY.

APRIL 10, THE ECONOMIST POLL,

37% SUPPORT DECREASING MILITARY

AID TO ISRAEL, JUST 18% SUPPORT

AN INCREASE.

OVERALL 63% SUPPORT A

CEASE-FIRE.

15% OPPOSE.

SO, MR. PRESIDENT, IT IS NOT

JUST PROTESTERS ON COLLEGE

CAMPUSES WHO ARE UPSET ABOUT

U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY REGARDING

ISRAEL AND GAZA.

INCREASINGLY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

WANT AN END TO U.S. COMPLICITY

IN THE HUMANITARIAN DISASTER

WHICH IS TAKING PLACE IN GAZA

RIGHT NOW.

THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES,

DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS,

INDEPENDENTS IN LARGE NUMBERS DO

NOT WANT TO BE COMPLICIT IN THE

STARVATION OF HUNDREDS OF

THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN.

NOW, MAYBE, MR. PRESIDENT, THIS

IS A VERY RADICAL IDEA.

HERE IS A REALLY, REALLY, REALLY

RADICAL IDEA, AND MAYBE IT'S

TIME FOR THE U.S. CONGRESS TO

LISTEN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

MAYBE IT IS TIME TO RETHINK THE

DECISION THAT THE U.S. SENATE

RECENTLY MADE TO PROVIDE

NETANYAHU WITH ANOTHER $10

BILLION IN UNVETTED MILITARY

AID.

MR. PRESIDENT, MAYBE IT IS TIME

TO NOT SIMPLY WORRY ABOUT THE

VIOLENCE WE ARE SEEING ON

AMERICAN COLLEGE CAMPUSES, BUT

TO FOCUS ON THE UNPRECEDENTED

VIOLENCE WE ARE SEEING IN GAZA

WHICH HAS KILLED 34,000

PALESTINIANS AND WOUNDED MORE

THAN 77,000, 70% OF WHOM ARE

WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

I SUGGEST TO CNN AND MAYBE SOME

HERE, TAKE YOUR CAMERAS FOR A

MOMENT OFF OF COLUMBIA AND UCLA.

MAYBE GO TO GAZA AND TAKE YOUR

CAMERA AND SHOW US THE EMACIATED

CHILDREN WHO ARE DYING OF

MALNUTRITION BECAUSE OF

NETANYAHU'S POLICIES.

SHOW US THE KIDS WHO HAVE LOST

THEIR ARMS AND THEIR LEGS.

SHOW US THE SUFFERING THAT IS

GOING ON OVER THERE.

SO, MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME

CONCLUDE BY SAYING THIS.

I MUST ADMIT THAT I FIND IT

INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT MANY

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE SPENDING

THEIR TIME ATTACKING THE

PROTE

PROTESTERS RATHER THAN NETANYAHU

GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS CAUSED AND

BROUGHT ABOUT THESE PROTESTS AND

HAS CREATED THIS HORRIFIC

SITUATION.

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

I YIELD THE FLOOR.