On Friday, Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza, stating in a news release that “doing so will worsen the already unconscionable suffering of nearly two million Palestinians trapped and starving in Gaza – and make less likely the safe return of the hostages Hamas continues to hold in appalling conditions.”
The criticism of Netanyahu comes after Bennet voted last week against a pair of resolutions, sponsored by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, calling for a partial block on military aid to Israel.
Bennet, a Democrat, did not return a request for comment from the Colorado Times Recorder last week about his vote on Sanders’ amendments — and his office did not return an email today asking for an explanation of how today’s statement by Bennet squares with his vote against halting some military aid; What would it take for Bennet to vote to cut back on arms for Israel?
In a particularly strongly worded segment of his statement today, Bennet accused Netanyahu of acting in his of own interests, not those of his country.
“Netanyahu has repeatedly put his personal political interests over Israeli and U.S. national security interests,” stated Bennet. “And President Trump has failed to check him. This time is no different.”
