Bernie Sanders Says Won’t Attend AIPAC Confab That ‘Gives Platform to Bigotry’

WASHINGTON – Senator Bernie Sanders, the current front-runner in the Democratic primary, announced Sunday that he won’t be attending the annual AIPAC conference next week.

He accused the group of giving a platform to “leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic rights” for the Palestinian people.

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– Haaretz Weekly Ep. 64

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Sanders could soon become the first-ever Jewish presidential nominee of a major party and has long been a critic of the leading lobby group supporting Israel in the United States.

Sanders tweeted: “The Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security. So do the Palestinian people.” But with regards to AIPAC, which will hold its annual policy conference from March 1-3 in Washington, Sanders explained: “I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that reason I will not attend their conference.”

Sanders, who recently won the Democratic caucus in Nevada and primary in New Hampshire, added, “As president, I will support the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians and do everything possible to bring peace and security to the region.”

Sanders did, however, speak at the J Street conference last year –the largest Jewish organization challenging AIPAC from the left.

AIPAC called Sanders’ announcement “outrageous” and “shameful,” and released a statement saying the Vermont senator had “never attended our conference,” unlike many other senators and members of Congress.