Bernie Sanders criticizes Israel over vaccine situation in Palestinian territories
The Israeli prime minister's son responded to Sanders on Twitter, saying Israel is not responsible for vaccinating Palestinians. The spat followed reports Israel is giving surplus vaccines to allies abroad.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has joined other members of Congress in criticizing Israel for the vaccination situation in the Palestinian territories.
The Vermont independent said Wednesday that Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have a responsibility as the “occupying power” to vaccinate Palestinians.
“As the occupying power, Israel is responsible for the health of all the people under its control,” said Sanders on Twitter. “It is outrageous that Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting.”
Sanders was referring to reports that Israel will give a small number of surplus vaccine doses to friendly countries, including Hungary and Guatemala. Israel is leading the world in per capita vaccine doses administered. However, the Palestinian territories have had a much slower rollout, hence Sanders’ tweet. Reps. Jamaal Bowman of New York and Marie Newman of Illinois have also voiced similar criticisms of Israel in recent weeks.
