Bernie Sanders vows shift in US foreign policy on Israel under Harris presidency

Senator Bernie Sanders has pledged that the US would see a shift in policy towards Israel under a Kamala Harris presidency, the Vermont independent said in a video posted to social media late on Monday.

The lawmaker said there would be a "transformative shift" that would focus on securing a Gaza ceasefire deal, delivering humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave, and rebuilding Palestinian infrastructure.

He said Harris would work with him to pursue a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, an increase in aid flow, rebuilding Gaza and stopping settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.

"I promise you, after Kamala wins, we will together do everything that we can to change US policy toward Netanyahu," Sanders said in the video, expressing his confidence that she would approach the region with greater humanitarian priorities than Trump.

Sanders expressed his frustration with Joe Biden's administration's backing of Israel's onslaught of Gaza, which began in October 2023 and has killed over 43,000 people - mostly civilians - since.

"I understand that there are millions of Americans who disagree with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the terrible war in Gaza. I am one of them," Sanders said in the video, before adding that "Israel had a right to defend itself against a horrific Hamas terrorist attack of October 7".

"Some of you are saying, how can I vote for Kamala Harris if she is supporting this terrible war? And that is a very fair question," Sanders said after detailing the devastating impact of the brutal war on Palestinians in Gaza.

Sanders also warned that a Donald Trump presidency would only strengthen ties with Israel's right-wing leadership and result in setbacks on critical issues, including climate change and women's rights.

"Donald Trump and his right-wing friends are worse," he said.

"Trump has said Netanyahu is doing a good job and has said Biden is ‘holding him back.’ He has suggested that the Gaza Strip would make excellent beachfront property for development. And it is no wonder Netanyahu prefers to have Donald Trump in office."

Sanders was among the first federal lawmakers to advocate for a Gaza ceasefire, and although he proceeded more cautiously than some left-wing activists had wished, he became one of Capitol Hill's most outspoken critics of Netanyahu and a persistent proponent of shifting US policy.

Last month, Sanders revealed he had introduced legislation to block $20 million worth of US weapon shipments to Israel.

Harris, who initially advocated for a temporary ceasefire during a speech at the annual Bloody Sunday commemoration in March, and who supports a two-state solution in the region, has faced months of pressure from activists urging her to take a stand independent of Biden's pro-Israel stance.

In a meeting three weeks ago in Michigan, a group of Arab American advocates and leaders urged Harris "to demonstrate how her approach on this issue would differ from current administration policies, which we oppose", according to comments by Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of the Muslim American advocacy organisation Emgage Action, to CNN.

Although she frequently expresses her wish for Israel's war on Gaza to end, sometimes responding to protesters who disrupt her campaign speeches, Harris has consistently aligned with Biden administration policy and messaging.