US Senator Sanders: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza

Senator Sanders, known for his opposition to Israel's genocide in Gaza but who has so far avoided using the term "genocide," changed his position for the first time in a written statement.

Sanders stated that after the UN's independent commission concluded that "genocide is taking place in Gaza," he too came to the same conclusion.

The US senator stated, "Israel has launched an all-out war against the entire Palestinian people. Many legal experts have determined that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. The International Association of Genocide Scholars has concluded that Israel's actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide."

"The independent expert panel appointed by the United Nations has confirmed this finding. These experts have concluded that there is a clear intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza through actions that meet the criteria outlined in the Genocide Convention. I agree," Sanders said in a statement.

The US senator emphasized in his statement that approximately 65,000 Palestinians were killed by Israel, at least 18,000 of whom were children.

"For two years, the far-right government of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu has severely limited the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza and has created every obstacle for the United Nations and other aid groups," Sanders said, adding that Israel has also murdered numerous members of the press.

Sanders concluded his statement by saying, "The intent is clear. The outcome is inevitable: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza."